Foster's ECB North-East Regional Premier League: Sunderland are keeping their fingers crossed that the former Durham County and Middlesex opener Michael Roseberry will be available to play his first game of the season against Chester-le-Street at Ashbrooke this morning.

Last week, the Wearsiders were disappointing at the wicket visiting Stockton and suffered a damaging defeat which leaves them in fifth position, 40 points off the top.

"Even though Stockton made 270 we thought we were in with a chance. The wicket was excellent and the outfield lightning, but quite honestly we did not bat well enough to win though it will be a bonus to have Roseberry in the team this week," said secretary Mike Smith.

Roseberry was pencilled in to play a fortnight ago but the fixture with Gateshead Fell was washed out. "He had told us he will help out whenever possible in the remaining matches and, with Lee Rushworth sidelined, we really need him," added Smith.

Today's fixture with Chester-le-Street could make or break Sunderland's season. Their opponents are second-top, only 20 points adrift of Blaydon and this morning Cestrian captain Allan Worthy will have a much stronger side on duty than the one which limped to a draw at Gateshead Fell last Saturday.

They were missing five regulars and four of them are back, with Quentin Hughes, Daniel Shurben, Cameron Harris and Ian Jones all lining up.

Definitely missing is former Durham County player Ian Hunter who is injured.

"They are not sure how long Ian will be out. He has a problem with his back and it could be one week or a few months. We are simply hoping for the best," added Worthy who reckons the championship will not be decided till the final day of the season.

"My judgement is that five teams are still involved and I believe we all have each other to play though it will go to the wire, make no mistake".

Leaders Blaydon will be wary of Stockton after the Teessiders thumped Sunderland last weekend.

"They had a very good result but we are maintaining our form having lost just once in 15 games. I suppose we have surprised a few people but we are there on merit," said chairman Ken Forster who reports that a full strength side will be on duty.

Stockton name their first choice line up, hoping to consolidate their top half of the table position.

Norton face a stiff test against third-top Durham Academy at the Racecourse Ground but are boosted by the return of Craig Symington and Kenny Gresham while a debut is handed to 16-year-old leg-spinner Chris Williamson. The trio take over from Stephen Purcifer, John Watson and Glyn Falconer.

Gateshead Fell are again without an overseas player following the unexpected return to New Zealand of Chris Martin following a family bereavement.

The Fell started out with Marcus North who was seconded to Durham County. Another Australian Trent Kemp was brought in but he was recalled and The Fell then turned to Martin who managed just a couple of games before departing early.

Gateshead Fell visit Benwell Hill today with junior captain Richard Smith taking over from the unavailable Amin Dhindsa.

It is all change for Benwell Hill who will be much stronger with the inclusion of Simon Birtwhisle, David Myers and James Welch, who has been on a rugby tour of South Africa with Durham University. Joe Thompson, Jamie Taylor and David Haxon make way.

Philadelphia, buoyed by their victory at Norton last Saturday which eased their position near the foot of the table, have Glen Read and Mark Moor lining up against South North at Bunker Hill.

Read, who is at Durham University, has played few games but should be available for the remainder of the season and his inclusion will boost the attack. Moor, unavailable last week, will again deputise for wicket keeper Bill Empson who may not play again this season.

Newcastle cannot call upon Kingsley McGarrigle or Rob Lawrence for the visit of Tynemouth who recall John Burn.