Tynemouth, second bottom and without a win following nine matches, have decided to replace the departed Yasir Arafat.

He left to tour Kenya with the Pakistan A team and initially Tynemouth thought they would get along without a professional, writes MALCOLM PRATT.

But they had a change of mind and have snapped up another Pakistani, 27-year old Asif Ali Syed, a top-order batsman and off-spinner.

"Because the season was approaching the halfway stage and we thought it would be difficult to sign someone, we originally agreed to play out the remaining games without an overseas pro," said secretary David Thompson.

"But really a side needs a professional at this level and when the opportunity came along to engage Asif we decided to take the plunge and he will make his debut in today's match at home to Newcastle."

The game is crucial to both sides. Newcastle slumped to the bottom of the table with last week's humiliating defeat at the hands of Sunderland when they were all out for just 47 but they produced a much better performance seeing off Chester-le-Street in the League Cup.

"We are just one place and 15 points better off than Newcastle so the outcome will be important to both sides. Unfortunately for Tynemouth we cannot play Northumberland strike bowler Craig Stanley, who can be a real handful with a new ball," said Thompson.

But Tynemouth are strengthened by the return of opening batsman Marcus Turner and wicket-keeper Paul Haynes who take over from Tony Lion and David Hayward.

Unlike today's opponents, Newcastle have opted to play the remainder of the season without a professional following their failure to obtain a work permit for Whitmore Quinn.

They cannot call upon early-order batsman Michael Cooper and the former Chester-le-Street player Keith Porter, a seasoned campaigner, is given the task of attempting to bolster the Tynesiders' fragile batting.

"Hopefully we will build on last Sunday's success over Chester-le-Street when the openers, Wayne Ritzema and Mattie Hynd batted really well but we need others down the order to show a little bit of commitment when the going gets tough," said spokesman Ken Pearson.

Blaydon, deposed from pole position when they had a free day last week, visit new leaders Sunderland at Ashbrooke. Cameron Cuffy collected his second five-wickets haul of the season in Sunderland's demolition of Newcastle and according to captain Adam Applegarth, the 6ft 7in quick bowler is raring to go.

"Now that the wickets are harder and faster, Cameron has really come into his own. He can get the ball to lift up to chest and throat height from a good length and he is really putting everything into it," enthused Applegarth.

Sunderland are happy to announce an unchanged side while Blaydon welcome the return of David Sherrington, who has really impressed behind the wicket.

Chairman Ken Forster is upbeat about Blaydon's first season in the top flight.

"Only a year ago we were playing overs cricket in the Tyneside Senior League and we all thought it would be very difficult to adjust to time cricket against the best sides in the North-East but I think we have come through with flying colours."

Forster pointed out Blaydon have lost just once in nine attempts and briefly led the table. "But there are other benefits playing in the Premier League. Stephen Humble, who is just 22, played his third game for Durham Cricket Board during the week and I am fairly sure he would not have been noticed had we still been playing in the TSL," claimed Forster.

Chester-le-Street will again be without ace pace bowler Chris Dodsley against Stockton at Ropery Lane. He was involved in a motorcycle accident a couple of weeks ago and will not be back in action for at least a month.

"Chris is a tremendous miss since he was bowling superbly, picking up important early wickets and then returning to clean out the tail," said coach Steve Greensword.

Ian Hunter could also be missing today and Allan Worthy is very doubtful. He did not play at all last season while professional with Sacriston and recently, he aggravated his ligament problem and till not 100 per cent fit.

Stockton make several changes, the most notable being the absence of captain Robert Lake who is unavailable. Hylton Wordsworth returns and so too does Alan Baird but Stockton await a fitness report on Richard Thomas who recently broke a finger.

West Indian Dawnley Joseph scored his third century last week and has now amassed about 500 runs to prove he is one of the North East's prolific run-makers.

Norton host Gateshead Fell minus Chris Fawcett but Vishal Sethi is able to resume.

Gateshead Fell, heartened by their victory last weekend which moved them up to third bottom, will have to get along without paceman Ollie Stacey, replaced by Andrew Dawe.

South Northumberland entertain Durham Academy with an unchanged side.