Darlington are on the look-out for a new professional following John Glendenen's decision to call it a day at the end of the season.

He has informed the club that he will not be playing as a professional next year following three seasons in the paid ranks at Feethams after first returning as an amateur when he left Durham County.

Cricket co-ordinator John Edwardson confirmed that the club is seeking a replacement and the liklihood is that it will be a local player rather than someone from overseas.

"There is a lot of work and worry bringing someone in from abroad. You have to obtain a work permit and find accommodation and we have put together a list of names and hopefully we will engage home-grown talent," said Edwardson who paid tribute to Glendenen's contributions in recent seasons.

Today, Darlington will be out to keep alive their slender championship hopes by defeating Hartlepool. Although they are only 16 points behind leaders Saltburn, they are in sixth position and not only do they need to strike a winning sequence but it is necessary for other sides to fail.

Andy Fothergill cannot play at Park Drive and Mark Stainsby will keep wicket.

Peter Bentley, 19, fills the vacancy while Hartlepool are much stronger after gaining a draw with second-top Redcar last weekend.

Gary Tebbett, Andy Carter and Ollie Stacey are all included although there is some doubt whether Stacey will play. Should he do so, then Jack Wilkinson, Paul Jackson and Izran Hussain will be included in the second XI.

Hartlepool were pleased with the debut performance of Pakistani Aaley Haider last Saturday even though he scored just six runs and took only two wickets for 50 runs in 16 overs. Nevertheless, he looked useful with both bat and ball.

Leaders Saltburn are at home to Bishop Auckland and have a doubt surrounding Jimmy Lawson, who is nursing a knee injury. Kevin Wright definitely plays and will be behind the wicket and should Lawson fail a fitness test then Martin Elwood will deputise.

Steve Chapman, who has missed two of Bishop Auckland's last three matches, returns, which means veteran Harry Smurthwaite, who has given years of loyal service at Kingsway, dropping into the second team.

Bishop's stage matches in the Durham Cricket Festival on Monday, Wednesday and Friday next week, commencing 1 pm and on Thursday a Bishop Auckland Select XI will play the MCC (11.30 am).

It's a big weekend for Guisborough whose confidence for tomorrow's quarter final National Club Championship match against Sheffield Collegiate will be sky high if they defeat Middlesbrough today.

Just a couple of points separate the pair who are both within striking distance of leaders Saltburn. The result is of significant importance to both clubs and neither will give an inch.

Guisborough are at full strength but Middlesbrough will surely miss the talents of Richard Storr because of football commitments and James Beaumont, who is with the England Under-15 squad.

Mattie Brown drops down to renew his regular role as captain of the second team which means that Danny Evans will have Brett Roberts, Jeff Breckon and Janiser Hussain in his team.

Guisborough and Middlesbrough meet again tomorrow at Thornaby in the final of the Kerridge Cup when the former are expected to field virtually a second team. Boro show a couple of changes with Storr and Brown returning to the exclusion of Breckon and Brett Roberts, whose brother Lee has been named as 12th man.

Despite losing last week, Blackhall are still in the championship frame and for the visit to Thornaby show just one alteration caused by the unavailability of Mark Cushlow. Bill Hornby, who a few weeks ago announced that he was leaving Blackhall, has decided to return and immediately regains his place.

Thornaby are not as lucky as their opponents and skipper Neil Marsden has four changes to his side. Missing are Phil Merryweather, Phil Gallacher and juniors Paul Allen and Stuart Moore who are replaced by Ian MacDonald, Mike Muldowney, Chris Metcalfe and Rob Fergie.

Thornaby, who boast excellent facilities, are pleased with the progress they have made in their first season back in the Premier Division and Marsden points to the continued improvement shown by the younger players throughout the club.

Normanby Hall, in bottom position, face a difficult task at home to second-top Redcar and will be without Craig Addison whose place is filled by Andy Harrow.

Martin Hood is attending a wedding but Malcolm Whitehead is able to resume. Northallerton again ring the changes for their home match with Marske. John Gregory steps down to lead the second team which will also include Albert Aurelius while Luke Jarvis cannot play. The trio are replaced by the returning Dave Elliott, David Walke and Paul Sunley.

Tim Hood is attending his brother's wedding and Robin Walker and Ali Hargreaves are both sidelined which leaves the way open for Johnny Nichols, now recovered from injury and John Wiltshire while Jeff Morrison is promoted from the second XI.

Richmondshire, just five points off the basement, host Darlington RA minus Chris Hill and Kevin Forbes and RA captain Peter Eckels reports that Stephen Marr will take over from Durham County schoolboy Andrew Russell, who is away.

Billingham Synthonia, just seven points behind Barnard Castle in the race for the First Division championship, face a tricky match at home to fifth-top Seaton Carew but are strengthened with the return of Neil Hewson, who takes over from Glen Cookson.

Darlington include Colin Biglin, who scored an unbeaten 96 for the third team last Sunday. He has been playing for Eryholme who are having problems staging matches on their ground. Biglin takes over from Peter Bentley when Darlington meet Hartlepool at Feethams. The visitors include Jack Wilkinson, Paul Jackson and Isran Hussain.

Middlesbrough meet Guisborough with Mattie Brown resuming as captain and a boost for him is the availability of Ian Blewitt, who has recovered from injury. But he will surely miss Janiser Hussain and Brett Roberts who have stepped up into the first team.

For their match at Marske, Northallerton are minus Don Jack, Chris Mulholland and Keith Wheldon. John Gregory takes over as captain and is the third different skipper in as many weeks following in the footsteps of Don Jack and Peter Guy.

Albert Aurelius and Nev Buchanan return and Marske have Phil Goldsborough coming in for Jeff Morrison