Ferryhill Athletic manager Mark Fanning is convinced his side is not the worst in the league but admits they need to start winning if they are to avoid the wooden spoon.

"People will look at our result last week and think it is all doom and gloom but there was no way Stokesley SC were nine goals better than us," he said.

"We went into the game without three of our recognised defenders and goalkeeper David Raine but we will be much stronger against Windscale this afternoon," said Fanning.

In addition to the return of Raine, Stephen Salisbury and Andrew Patterson will line up at the centre of defence but a blow is the unavailability of midfielder Mark Stephenson.

At the top, Birtley Town visit Ryhope CW and are considerably stronger with the inclusion following suspension of Anthony Cosgrove, who has been sidelined for a number of weeks.

Another striker, Michael Ford, is also available.

Second-top Stokesley SC host Jarrow with a full squad at the disposal of manager Ted Watts, who is unlikely to make many changes to the side which scored ten times last Saturday. Jarrow cannot call upon Philip Dolphin and Liam Richardson will again deputise in goal.

North Shields are third ahead of their visit to Cleadon SC, who are now fourth after leading the table for several weeks.

The Robins add Anthony Robson, John McCabe and leading scorer Steve Hamil to their pool of players and also named is Eddie Miller, who made a successful comeback in the last match.

Wolviston make the short journey to New Marske again ravaged by injuries. First-choice strikers Michael Diciccio and top scorer Andy Steele are added to a long injury list which has proved problematic for manager Graham Howard in recent weeks.

Reserve goalkeeper Gary Hayes, who has been outstanding deputising in the first team for two games, is unable to play because of work commitments and third-choice Alan Wrigglesworth is likely to have his first outing of the season.

New Marske, on the fringe of the race for the championship, have lost Billy Millington, Tim Hood and Stephen Larkin to the Albany Northern League.

They will keep faith with youngsters Adam Livingstone and Harrison Davies, who both excelled last week.

Darlington RA go to Whitehaven, where they lost 2-1 in the League Cup a couple of weeks ago. A blow to manager David Woodcock is the decision of Stephen Roberts to join Guisborough Town.

For their game at Washington Nissan UK, Harton and Westoe welcome the return of Rob Doyle and Russell Bell .