Albany Northern League chairman Mike Amos will welcome new members with open teams at the end of the season - providing they meet the league's criteria.

The league has come under attack this week for its handling of the North Shields affair during the summer, but Amos has again defended the league's stance, as well as emphasising that new clubs will be welcome.

"The reason why North Shields didn't come into the league was because there was no vacancy at the time and the FA upheld our interpretation of the rules as they existed at the time. We have also been criticised for not letting West Allotment into the league during the summer, but they didn't even apply.

"We have been told by the FA that a system of relegation and promotion must take place at the end of the season, as long as the clubs who want promotion to the Northern league finish in the top two in their league and have a ground up to standard.

"We have already visited West Allotment and Benfield Saints from the Northern Alliance and have given appropriate advice. They are confident the work they need to do will be completed by the end of March. North Shields from the Wearside League were told last year that things were just about right.

"We will welcome any club which comes up from the Northern Alliance and Wearside League, but it will be sad to lose any of the current members."

If the current feeder league positions stay unchanged until the end of the season, Benfield Saints and North Shields will be promoted at the end of the season, subject to criteria, with the Northern League's bottom two, Alnwick and Eppleton, being relegated.

Crook Town, however, could find themselves sucked into the relegation battle at the management committee meeting later this month.

Crook are facing a six-point deduction for allegedly fielding an ineligible player against Willington in their 3-1 win a fortnight ago. It is understood that they signed a player, Aaron Scott, just before kick off who was already registered with Easington.

Crook secretary Kieron Bennett said: "We are not going to sign any players on the day of a match in future."

The situation is sure to fuel the debate in the league about deducting points from clubs, particularly when players are signed just before matches and don't disclose that they have played for other clubs in the league. Crook have already had three points deducted this season for fielding a player who wasn't on the official teamsheet.

Crook are due at Evenwood today in a league game but, like many others in the league, the match seems certain to be postponed because of the weather.

In the first division, Shildon have signed defender Lee Collings, just a month after he left them for Durham City, and he makes his return debut at home to Chester-le-Street. Defender James Middleton has recovered from a throat infection.

Chester welcome back midfielder Keith Sheardown after suspension.

Joint leaders Bedlington will be at full strength for their home game with Washington, who have a doubt over defender Paul Robinson.

Brandon, who are level on points with Bedlington, are at home to Whitley Bay and welcome back midfielder Damien Maw and David Johnson.

Whitley will include new signing Chris Taylor, who has scored ten goals for second division Willington.

Two clubs chasing third spot meet at Central Avenue. Billingham Synthonia expect to have a full squad to choose from, while Durham City are without suspended midfielder Keith Douglas and give a fitness test to defender Sam Kitchen.

Tow Law still have several players missing, the latest of them being central defender Graham Liddle, who is suspended for their home game with Marske United. The visitors could include a new keeper because of the long-term injury to John Jackson.

Billingham Town recall Mark Scott and Robbie Hutchinson for their derby at Guisborough.

Peterlee include former Bishop Auckland keeper Paul Jennison, in their squad at home to Morpeth.

Esh Winning are without midfielder Michael Parkinson for their away game at Prudhoe.

Seaham Red Star are hopeful their game will go ahead against Easington and they include new signing Andrew Lumsden from Washington in their squad. Easington will give defender Paul Imeson a fitness test.

Willington, who travel to Whickham, include new signings Peter Wilkinson and Kurt Luke in their squad.