NYSD League preview

MIDDLESBROUGH are desperately trying to have a substitute professional in place ahead of this afternoon’s top of the table meeting with rivals Marton.

Mohammad Siddiq, who has only been with the club a matter of weeks, is ill and has had to return to Pakistan and Boro have lodged a substitute registration for Yasir Shah, the legspinner who was the original choice before the start of the season.

Shah was set to join up until international commitments and visa delays caused them to change tack.

With clearance of the registration only being received on Thursday morning the club were making hasty arrangements for Shah to be flown over from Pakistan in the hope he would make it in time for today’s key match.

So keen are Middlesbrough to beef up their squad to face Marton that they have also asked Durham if Kyle Coetzer can turn out even though he played in the county championship game at Riverside that ended in victory for the hosts yesterday, although the chances of him playing today are slim.

Marton put out the same team that secured the first piece of major silverware of the season last Sunday when they won the Macmillan Cup.

Their only concern will revolve around the fitness of Lee Hodgson. The Yorkshire player had a side strain that prevented him from bowling in the final and the county will have the final say on whether he can turn his arm over this afternoon.

Playing on home soil, and confident in the knowledge that they have come out best in the previous three meetings between the teams this campaign, Marton will be hoping to take advantage of any jetlag or acclimatisation problems if Shah turns out.

Leaders Guisborough won’t mind if the two sides just below them end up all square as it will give them a great chance of extending their lead at the top.

The Priorymen are at Feethams today, boosted by the return of Chris Murray who steps straight into the place vacated by brother Colin. Gary Veazey is also back to take up his glove duties. Darlington will have Garry Moody back at the helm, with Paul Raine unavailable.

Northallerton will be hoping they are shown some brotherly love at Marske where the home team will hand a debut to Jon Nicholls, brother of Chris. Nicholls has been signed from NEPL outfit Gateshead Fell where he was the leading amateur wicket taker in 2008. The Seasiders have two absentees with Col Haslett working and Ben Walker hamstrung. Guy Whatmore joins Nicholls in the team.

Northallerton earned some breathing space at the foot of the table with their win last week. Skipper Jon Barnes has fewer selection headaches than normal. Richard Bartram returns from holiday, and there will be a last minute decision on Ian Gill who may be show jumping.

Billingham are 40 points adrift of safety but take on one of the four sides in the little group just above them who are separated by just six points.

Visitors Blackhall will have Neil Killeen in their team, and expect to be at full strength against a Synners outfit who had the midweek boost of defeating Middlesbrough in a cup tie - ironically, in view of their league position, the second time in a matter of 10 days they had toppled the champions.

Hartlepool will not have the considerable talents of Mike Gough at their disposal as he resumes his first-class umpiring duties which will take him away for the next month.

Pools entertain a Thornaby side missing James Roberts and Andrew Emmerson, although Richie Rennard returns.

And in the day’s other games four probable full strength sides face off with Normanby Hall at home to Bishop Auckland and Richmond entertaining Great Ayton.

In Division One the two leading clubs face testing seaside trips with Barnard Castle at Seaton Carew and Stokesley travelling to Redcar.