Durham manager Brian Honour won't be changing his tactics for one of the biggest days in the club's history today.

City visit Tyneside to take on fellow Northern League club Whitley Bay, with the eventual prize over the two legs a place in the FAVase final at Villa Park on May 11.

"We'll be going for a positive result," said Honour. "We won't be going up there to keep it tight by bringing ten men back behind the ball and booting it anywhere. We haven't done that this season, no matter where we've played.

"Obviously, we'll be trying to make sure we don't concede, but it's going to be like a game of chess because e know each other so well.

"At five o'clock it will only be half-time. There will be just as much work to do again next week.

"The lads have got a calm air of confidence about them. I don't think they'll freeze and let the occasion get the better of them, because they've had some tough games already. They won't need me to say that it's a big occasion."

Honour has been given a big boost by the news that 41-goal striker Lee Ludlow will be fit after a neck injury, as will defender Richard Ord and midfielder Stuart Irvine. However, central defender Michael Canavan will probably be missing because of a knee injury

Meanwhile, Whitley Bay manager Andy Gowens, who celebrates his 40th birthday today, is expecting two very tight matches.

"Brian and I would have preferred to play each other in the final. I'm expecting two very close games. When one side loses over the two legs, then they'll deserve to. Whoever plays most to their potential will win.

"We are two good footballing sides, who like to get the ball down and play it to feet, so it should be good for the fans.

"Whitley Bay hasn't seen a game like it for a long time, probably not since the day we played Preston in the FA Cup over ten years ago..

"We've worked hard to get this far, but we'll have to work harder still now. I don't think we'll freeze, because some of the players have been this far before with Bedlington - and it might be their last chance to win a Vase medal."

Gowens will be without midfielder David Carr because of injury, while he will probably recall midfielders John Sunderland and Gary Middleton, striker Ian Chandler and defender Andy Bowes.