Easington appear to be over their crisis, and expect to fulfil their second division fixture at home to Whickham on Saturday.

Easington couldn’t raise a team to play Gillford Park last Saturday and as a consequence are facing a heavy fine and points deduction by the league.

However, in midweek they appointed Steve Riley as their new manager, and they are now confident that they will have a squad of at least 14 players on duty this afternoon.

They have a tough game, as Whickham are in second place, and except for Callum Benson, are at full strength.

Birtley, who have climbed up to third spot after five games unbeaten, are at home to Washington, and manager Scott Oliver could keep the same team that beat Whitehaven in midweek.

Esh Winning, who have won their last four league and cup matches, are at leaders Team Northumbria, and with Dan Mitton added to the squad, are at full strength.

Bottom club Horden are at home to Northallerton, and will be missing Lloyd Evans, who is on county duty. Jordan Lavery is injured, otherwise manager Brian Honour chooses from a full squad. Northallerton manager Mark Fanning adds Carl Chillingsworth and Danny Shoulder to the squad that beat Washington in midweek.

Chester-le-Street, who pulled off a big shock in the league cup in midweek when they won at Ashington, are looking for their first league win under manager Anth Smith away to Ryton and Crawcrook, and Smith will choose from a full squad.

Sixth placed Thornaby, at home to fourth placed West Allotment, have lost striker Neil Campbell, who has gone to Teesside League club Nunthorpe Athletic as player-coach, while striker Tony Abel returns after missing last week’s game. Another striker, Liam Woodhouse, will have a fitness test. Allotment player-manager Paul Stoneman is suspended, while Gary Day, Martin Soulsby and David Henderson are also missing.

Fourth bottom Seaham Red Star, who are at home to managerless Alnwick, welcome back Craig McManus, Marc Moon and Michael McKeown, while midfielder Lee Peachey and defender Anth Laidler will both have late fitness tests.

Brandon play North Shields for the second time in two days, Shields having won the league cup tie on Thursday night. Recent signing Gareth McAlindon, Dan Bowlt and Paul Watson all return, but Andy Hay and Rob Livermore are unavailable.

In the other game, Whitehaven are at home to Morpeth.