DURHAM’S current injury crisis is likely to have an effect upon how teams line up today in the NEPL, with both Chester-le-Street and Sunderland awaiting news about players crucial to their sides.

With the County’s problems primarily in the fast-bowling department, it will be interesting to see whether they will wrap their assets in cotton wool or opt to give them match practice ahead of next week’s championship fixture.

Luke Evans has returned from his loan spell with Northants, however the Cestrians would like to be able to pitch him into their match at Tynemouth to try to fight fire with fire as their hosts hand a debut to Pakistan international Shahid Nazir.

Sunderland would dearly love to have Chris Rushworth available to them for their home game against Newcastle, but if Durham pull rank they will field the same team that secured a battling draw against South North last week.

Stockton entertain the Academy with David Seymour replacing Dorian Hiles, while Hetton Lyons, a little edgy after two opening defeats, need to make use of home advantage against struggling South Shields, but there are doubts over Will Gidman’s fitness.

Durham City, neck and neck with Boldon at the top of the Durham Senior League, have bowlers Michael Took and Paul Moralee recovered from injury and ready to play at home to Eppleton, who are able to include the fit-again Luke Anderson.

Philadelphia parade South African opening bowler Etienne Gerber for his debut when they entertain Norton.

Connor Cheal and Anthony Brown have overcome injury problems and start for Phili, but the visitors will be missing Jason Huitson, so Nicky Thomas deputises.

Brandon and Langley Park, who propped up the rest in 2009, are rubbing shoulders with Kimblesworth and Esh Winning after two rounds of matches in the Durham County League.

Both have home games today with unchanged Brandon taking on Willington and Park, who include the returning Michael White and Simon Moralee, entertaining a muchchanged Ushaw Moor.

Crook’s team to play at Kimblesworth includes Greg and Brett Upton, as well as Anthony Dinsdale, although Arsalan Mir is still bogged down by red tape in Pakistan.

Life is suddenly much better at Seaham Harbour – the former DSL club are already clear at the top of the Durham Coast League after two maximum returns in their opening games.

Sean McKenna is their only absentee for today’s trip to Washington, where the hosts welcome back Phil Hooper and Stephen King.

Morpeth and Tynedale jointly head the early NTSL table, but the team being talked about is newly-promoted Lanchester, just a couple of points off top spot after two thumping wins.

They entertain Sacriston today and with an unchanged team turning out it means that run machines Paul Underwood and Luke Blackaby will be on show after their batting heroics in the opening matches.