It's better late than never for Roseberry

Sunderland skipper Simon Old had hoped to include him, but Roseberry is again unavailable.

"We have been minus Michael throughout the campaign, but thought he might help us out as we challenge for the title in the remaining weeks of the season. However, he would not have been able to turn out last Saturday and today and is once again sidelines," said Old.

Roseberry is not Sunderland's only absentee since Tom Skilbeck and Jim Butler are also ruled out. There is some good news though, in that Robin Weston, Simon Brown and Michael Nunn are all able to play.

Stockton make a couple of alterations to their line-up as they attempt to win for the fourth time. Chris Hooker and Chris Oliver are named in a strong team which excludes the unavailable Duane Atkinson and Craig Barrington, who reverts to the second XI.

Norton skipper Marc Symington, another former Durham County player, cannot call upon his brother Craig or Kenny Gresham for the visit of Philadelphia. Anthony Bowler and Chris Fawcett fill the vacancies.

Philadelphia, who finished fourth and seventh during their first two seasons in the league, are second bottom desperately in need of points but whereas the first team is struggling, the Academy is going from strength to strength.

This week Guisborough professional Imran Jan has been one of four coaches who have taken part in a summer school which has attracted dozens of youngsters to Bunker Hill.

"These kids are the future of the club and it is heartening that so many turned up. The coaching has been fantastic and it has been a joy to watch so many youngsters and their parents on the ground," enthused Academy secretary Ken Haswell.

Yesterday the week concluded with a visit to the Riverside.

Today though there are more pressing needs for Phili, captained by the former Middlesbrough player, Lee Beaumont. He is without a recognised wicket keeper as regular stumper Phil Empson and Mark Moore who has proved his satisfactory deputy in recent weeks, are both unable to play.

Also missing is Durham University student Ben Read who expects to return next Saturday and be a regular for the final games of the season.

Blaydon, defending a narrow five-point lead at the top of the table, are involved in a Tyneside derby with Newcastle the visitors. Wayne Ritzema, the ex-Durham City player, is back to skipper Newcastle, but Tim Stonock is ruled out and is place is taken by Ben Embleton.

Chester-le-Street's form in the league has not gone unnoticed and no fewer than five of their players have been selected for tomorrow's President's Trophy tie against the Derbyshire Premier League.

Alan Worthy, Daniel Shurben, Quentin Hughes and Ian Hunter all play, but Ian Jones cannot make the trip.

The five players all line up at Gateshead Fell this morning when Worthy will welcome the return of Hughes and Hunter who last weekend were on duty with the ECB in Amsterdam.

Cameron Harris though is still unavailable and his place is given to talented youngster Andrew Smith who scored a century for Durham County U15 against Yorkshire at Ampleforth earlier in the week.

Gateshead Fell, who prop up the table, will give a second game to Chris Martin who played in all three Tests for New Zealand against England. He has been brought in as a substitute for Trent Kelly who was recalled early to Australia. Yet another former County championship player Nick Phillips, who was with Durham last season, will play in the league when he captains the Fell.

South Northumberland, who have reached the quarter-finals of the Cockspur ECB National Knockout Cup and will play Derbyshire Premier League side Ockbrook and Borrowash at Gosforth tomorrow, are also at home this morning to local rivals Benwell Hill. Skipper John Graham anticipates having a full squad available.

Tynemouth, too near the bottom for comfort, have Durham Academy as visitors. The Seasiders have Ian Purdy and Stephen Scott back from holiday and promote Philip Morse since John Burn, Ben Debnam and Russell Perry are all unable to play.