NEWCASTLE Falcons find themselves faced with an open-side flanker shortage after Will Welch became the latest to join the club’s injured list.

The 21-year-old was replaced an hour into Sunday’s 37-7 LV= Cup defeat of Sale Sharks at Kingston Park, leaving the open-side stocks all but bare going into Saturday’s final group game at Leicester Tigers.

Director of rugby Gary Gold said: “Unfortunately Will has injured his elbow and it does not look good.”

The former England under-20s cap was among a host of star performers in the four-try triumph, pressing hard at the breakdown and making his mark in defence.

Gold added: “It seems like it is one step forward and two steps back, and it is frustrating for us because I thought Will was outstanding before he went off.

“The back-row of Will, Ally Hogg and Mark Wilson really gelled as a threesome, and it is a pity if we have to lose Will for a while because he is important to us.

“We will see, though. He is a big player for this team, but a loss in one area means an opportunity for somebody else.”

As revealed in Saturday’s Journal fellow open-side Redford Pennycook is already on his way out of the club, with a move in place to Championship leaders Bristol.

The switch to his home-town side is largely driven by personal circumstances following the birth of his first child this month, and his presence at Kingston Park would not have alleviated Gold’s immediate problems with Pennycook himself also presently sidelined.

The 26-year-old is set for an operation within the next fortnight and could be out for anywhere up to two months.

The No 7 shirt is not the only one causing problems for the new director of rugby, with all four of his specialist fullbacks currently out.

Injuries to Jeremy Manning, Greg Goosen, Tom Catterick and Alex Tait mean Gold could be forced to continue with Jimmy Gopperth there for the Welford Road encounter.

The prolific Kiwi has coped well over the past fortnight in his unaccustomed role, with Gold fulsome in his praise after watching him score a try and kick a further 17 points on Sunday.

He said: “We did not have another fit full-back in our squad, to be honest, so that was the main driver for it rather than any desire to experiment.

“Jimmy is a great footballer and you could see how cool, calm and collected he was even when under pressure at the back.

“I thought he ran the show very well, but it is also exciting to know we have good players to return there who will push hard for the place.”

Gopperth’s long-term future at Kingston Park remains the subject of much conjecture, with no shortage of admirers for the two-time Golden Boot winner whose contract runs out this summer.

London Irish have been the first to break cover and declare their interest, but Newcastle have already offered the former Wellington marksman a significant long-term deal.

Understandably Gopperth will take his time in surveying his options with Newcastle nine points adrift at the foot of the Aviva Premiership, but a departure from Kingston Park is far from inevitable.

Fellow free-agent Tim Swinson is also making up his mind after being offered fresh terms, but the Falcons will benefit this season with few others of their key figures out of contract.

Skipper James Hudson, Euan Murray, Jeremy Manning, Jonny Golding and Luke Fielden are among the many with another season still to run on deals.

Meanwhile, the Falcons are not set for a move to troubled Darlington FC’s stadium – despite being offered the possibility.