GRAHAM DAWE insists club captain Kieran Hallett remains an important part of Plymouth Albion's bid for a Championship promotion play-off spot.

Hallett, the Brickfields club's leading points scorer this term, started the first 11 matches of the season, scoring three tries.

But he was 'rested' for the British & Irish Cup clash against Leinster, on November 21, with Alex Davies playing fly-half and Mark Lee at full-back.

Hallett, who can play at fly-half or full-back, returned to the starting line-up for the following weekend's cup game away to Newport at number 10.

But, for Albion's last two Championship outings against Rotherham and Bedford, Hallett has only been named as a replacement, with Davies wearing the number 10 shirt and Lee playing full-back.

However, he did make a major impact when he came on as a replacement against Bedford on Saturday and chairman of rugby Dawe insists the former Ireland under-21 international remains a key player.

"Quite simply, two into one doesn't go," said Dawe of Hallett and Davies both competing for the number 10 shirt.

"Alex has played well over the last few weeks and is the man in possession of the shirt at the moment.

"But Kieran is still a very good player – a quality player – and a key member of the first team squad.

"He got an opportunity at the weekend and did really well for us. He put the pass out to Ben Mercer, which secured us the four points.

"It is great that we can go to the bench and have someone of Kieran's ability to come on.

"Both Alex and Kieran are desperate to wear the number 10 shirt and it is a good healthy battle. They are keeping pressure on each other. Hopefully, they will be remain injury free and that can continue."

Dawe added: "Kieran is an outstanding rugby player. He has got great running, passing and kicking ability. He is a very talented player, as is Alex."

With Hallett having to be content with a place on the replacements' bench in recent weeks – and vice-captain Geoff Griffiths out until the new year with a broken bone in his foot – number eight Kyle Marriott has skippered the side.

In the four matches he has led the Albion team out, they have won two, drawn one and lost one with the brace of victories coming in Plymouth's last two league clashes.

Dawe said: "Kieran remains our club captain and he is setting the standards every day in training, but for the moment Kyle is running the team at the weekends and he is doing a good job.

"Kyle wouldn't have accepted the captaincy if he didn't think he could perform the role.

"He has done it before for Devon and that would have been a learning experience for him.

"He has now captained a Championship club and, so far, Kyle has done well."

Meanwhile, Dawe confirmed that utility back Griffiths is still on course to make his return to action early in 2010.

Griffiths broke a bone in his foot – for the third time in a year – against Exeter Chiefs on September 26 and later underwent an operation.

"Geoff has two more weeks in the (protective) boot and he is still hoping to be back in the new year," said Dawe.

ALBION'S RFU hearing into fielding 16 players for a brief spell during their match against Nottingham will take place in Bristol on January 4.