All sides, with the exception of Ferryhill Athletic and Washington Nissan UK, are involved in the second round of the League Cup.

After scoring nine last weekend, Stokesley SC will be full of confidence against third-bottom Windscale as they strive for a league and cup double.

With Ben Escritt and Grant Hine unavailable, Clive Dowson will keep goal. Neil Southall is available but Michael Wilson is ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Leaders Birtley Town visit Ryhope CW and manager Dave Smith is hoping Anthony Lynch will have recovered from a back injury. Paul Scott and Danny Kind are again sidelined and Anthony Cosgrove is suspended.

Ryhope CW are likely to play Joe Thompson in goal. Michael Burlinson is banned and Liam Routledge, Shaun Godfrey and Stephen Rochester all need fitness checks.

New Marske, fifth top, go to third-placed North Shields hoping to rediscover their form after conceding seven in their last outing.

Marske hope to include Adam Taylor and Tim Hood.

Darlington RA go to Whitehaven without Robbie Homan but Andrew Roberts is available.

Barnard Castle Glaxo, buoyed by their performance last weekend, face a stern test at home to Gateshead Reserves. "It was a real team effort against title-contenders Cleadon SC.

"I thought we were unlucky to take just one point," said manager John Hall, who will include recent signings Phil Laverick from Norton and Stephen Percival.

For their derby at home to Cleadon SC, Boldon CA welcome the return of Michael Meek and David Carr. Boss Norman Hunter rates Stuart Pattison with only a 50/50 chance of playing but is more hopeful about Mark Harrison and Matthew Donkin.

Harton and Westoe host Annfield Plain minus Gary Stephenson, Shaun Simpson and Phil Smith, while Wolviston have home advantage over Jarrow. They are looking to bring in new players since they have so many ruled out.

Gareth Richardson and Paul Edwards are suspended, while both Gareth Murphy and goalkeeper Simon Clark are also unavailable. To make matters worse, on-loan keeper Sam Dobbs has returned to Northallerton Town so Gary Hayes will deputise.

* Southampton midfielder David Prutton believes the club's supporters are only now beginning to see the best of him since his £2.5m transfer from Nottingham Forest last January.

Prutton's progress was delayed last season as Saints made their way to the FA Cup final, leaving him to watch from the stands after being cup-tied with Forest.

Prutton lines up against south coast rivals Portsmouth at St Mary's tomorrow now established in the centre of midfield, his favoured position.

He said: ''It has enabled me to get my bearings and concentrate on other areas of the pitch.

''I have been doing extra training sessions and working on my fitness and the good thing about Southampton is that everyone wants to help each other.

''Every member of the management team has been a great help.''

Prutton is relishing the chance to take on Pompey but will not be underestimating his struggling opponents, who have slipped to third from bottom in the Barclaycard Premiership.

He added: ''Just because we beat them in the Carling Cup does not mean we expect to do the same now.

''They are on a losing run but we know they will be dangerous and determined. Their team is a bit of a mixture."