Foster's Northumberland and Tyneside Senior Legue Preview: Champions Lanchester, who have an identical playing record to Tynedale and are just one point off the leaders, miss several players for what is likely to be a difficult game at Sacriston.

Captain Kevin Dixon, Andrew Biggs, Greg Halliday and Richie Strong are definitely out and Phil Carlin's availability is in some doubt.

"It is a blow going into the game without four leading players but we will just have to get on with it and give it our best shot," said fixture secretary Bob Gardiner.

Sacriston are a lot more fortunate and after last week's victory over Newcastle City, are confident they can maintain the momemtum especially as they are able to field an unchanged line-up.

Tynedale, who moved to the top defeating challengers Ashington last Saturday, host Lintz with Richard Taylor and Craig Barber taking over from Dorian Hiles and Neil Clark.

Lintz, with three defeats in five outings, miss Gary Christie and Anthony Ward so Andrew Smith and Kevin Johnson are drafted into the line-up.

Third-top Ashington replace the unavailable 15-year old Adam Cragg with another 15-year old, Stuart Tiffin, at Shotley Bridge where Simon Prudhoe, who has a century to his credit this season, takes over from Ian Wardle.

Newcastle City expect Palav Kumar to line up in their attack against Swalwell.

He has been on duty with Durham County against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge this week. Omar Ahmed is also named, with Sid Shah and Roly Ahmed reverting to the second team.

Benwell and Walbottle and Whickham, who were promoted last season, are at the basement making their clash crucial to both sides.

Whickham, with one draw and four defeats in five games, are 17 points adrift of their rivals. "We have found it a lot more difficult in the top flight and obviously today's fixture is important.

"Unfortunately we cannot call upon Darren Stillwell and Ian Noble but if professional Charles Coventry repeats the form he showed last weekend scoring a century, we could celebrate our first win," declared official Jim Huxley.

Robin Moor returns to the Whickham side and Ian McIntyre steps up from the second team.