A REGISTRATION wrangle scuppered the return of former director of rugby Ian Calder to the first team that triumphed over Thanet Wanderers.

As exclusively revealed in Friday's Gazette, a U-turn by the club's playing committee had paved the way for "Ruffy" to return - just weeks after his offer to turn out for the first team had been turned down.

However, the comeback has had to be put on hold for the time being after 'Stoke were unable to get Bracknell to release his registration.

Calder - who was also the backs coach at Bracknell - left the national two outfit five weeks ago after the club announced it was unable to pay players' travelling costs. The 38-year-old Kiwi says he is still owed money by Bracknell and it is this dispute that has apparently caused the registration wrangle.

Calder is keen to again wear 'Stoke's blue and yellow first-team jersey, to help their league campaign and to help develop the rugby skills of the club's future fly-half Simon Humberstone. The 17-year-old has stepped up to the first team ranks from the academy side this season to show he is a real prospect.

Calder said: "Simon is someone I'm looking forward to playing with. In my three years in charge, I watched him grow and helped him with his game, so it's like he's 'my boy' in a way.

"It's going to be good lining up with him and helping him on the pitch. Hopefully, it will take some of the pressure off him."

Calder will have to wait to do that, however, and not just because of the registration problem. Dixon has taken the decision to give Humberstone, who has been singled out in matches by worldly-wise opponents, a bit of a break.

He explained: "I'm giving Simon a break so he can play some academy rugby. They've a big colts cup game coming up. Plus he's been playing in two to three games a week and needs the break.

"Simon has come on really well during his spell in the team this past month, but I feel a need for a change at fly-half."