Albany Northern League and UniBond League: Shildon manager Ray Gowan welcomes the visit of fellow promotion-chasers Penrith to Dean Street this afternoon even though his side have lost their last two matches.

Long-time leaders Shildon have dropped out of the top three recently because of a postponed game and two surprise defeats, and now they need the points against Penrith, who are two places and two points above them.

"The visit of Penrith is just what we needed," said Gowan.

"The players don't need any motivation from me to play against a team which is also pushing for promotion."

Gowan will be without striker David Taylor, who has a broken arm, but otherwise they will be at full strength.

League leaders Esh Winning, who play three teams in the bottom six in their next three matches, are without Marc Irwin because of suspension and Brian Wray and Mark Drake because of injury at home to Evenwood.

Washington Nissan, who are just four points off the pace, will give fitness test to David Burt and Glen Liddle before their home game with Northallerton.

In the first division, Durham City manager Brian Honour will recall 11 players to his side for the game at bottom club Seaham Red Star.

Honour fielded a scratch team at Chester-le-Street on Thursday and said: "With two Vase games coming up, I've got to be realistic. We can't afford injuries to key players."

Seaham recall defenders Paul Moss and Marcelle Lundy, but veteran Dave Callaghan has a fitness test.

Bedlington can take another step towards their fifth successive title when they go to third-bottom Thornaby, and expect to be at full strength.

Thornaby will give fitness test to Matty Hysen and Paul Leech, while veteran defender Lawrie Pearson returns.

Second-placed West Auckland, who haven't won any of their last three matches, are at Ashington, and will be without striker Phil Maguire because of injury.

Dunston, who are in third place, will still be without injured defenders Graham Blackett and Elliott Milburn for their away game at fourth bottom Morpeth.

Whitley Bay, who like Durham are also hoping to avoid injuries ahead of their Vase tie, are without defenders David Carr and Ian Dixon for their home game with improving Marske.

The visitors will be without striker Greg Booth and midfielder Darren Ward.

Tow Law have a doubt over midfielder Gary Innes, who has an ankle ligament problem, for their home game with Brandon, who have injury doubts over four players while another, Richie Pitt, is suspended.

Consett, whose four-month unbeaten run came to an end at Dunston in midweek, are hoping to regain winning form at home to Newcastle Blue Star. Midfielder Lee Suddes is expected to return, while defender Alan Batey has a fitness test.

Billingham Town are without injured defender Stuart Jackson for their trip to Washington.

Chester-le-Street will give midfielder Steve Leadbitter, who was injured in midweek playing for Darlington, a fitness test before their home game with Jarrow Roofing. Lee Compton and Andy Blower will return.

l UniBond League Bishop Auckland are close to making an announcement about where they hope to be playing next season.

Where they will be playing firstly depends on whether they can sell Kingsway, but the UniBond League have inspected three Albany Northern League grounds Crook, West Auckland and Shildon.

It is understood that Crook Town came out the best of the three, but Bishops will still have to finance improvements, no matter where they play.

Bishops have a fourth option - they could groundshare at neighbours Spennymoor, with whom talks have already been held.

Bishops will have to inform the UniBond League of their intentions soon and if they are to groundshare, they will have to make an immediate start on any improvement work.

Spokesman Terry Jackson said: "We will have to make a decision in the next few days because we have to complete much of the work by the end of April.

"The sale of Kingsway is moving along nicely, so hopefully it can all come together."

Bishops are without a game today, but they will be watching the results of the games involving the other clubs in relegation trouble closely.

Whitby, who are level on points with them but have a marginally worse goal difference, are at home to bottom club Hyde United, and have six players injured.

In the first division, Spennymoor can give their play-off hopes another boost when they take on Rossendale at the Brewery Field with manager Tony Lee choosing from an unchanged squad.

Last night Moors signed former Darlington striker Lee Ellison from Barrow. Ellison was with manager Tony Lee at Bishop Auckland before Ellison went back to Feethams for a second spell.