Chester-le-Street welcome Whitburn travel to Chester-le-Street and skipper John Coxon was quick to praise Quentin Hughes for his efforts last weekend.

He said: “We recovered well in last week’s game against the Durham Academy and that was pleasing as we under pressure. Quentin Hughes showed his class with both bat and ball, to help us get a positive result.

“Whitburn have a very strong side, so I’m sure both teams will be going hard for the win. It should be a good one to watch!”

Whitburn captain Paul Shields said: “A few of our players are injury concerns, but we go into the game full of confidence. We are second in the league and they are fourth. We know it’s a tough ground to play at, but we are looking forward to it.”

Durham Cricket Academy journey to Felling and Director of Cricket, John Windows said: “Matthew Oswell returns, alongside Will Angus. Angus Guy, a wicketkeeper from Scotland, makes his debut and we know it will be a tough game against Felling, who are a good side.”

Hetton Lyons, after three straight wins, welcome Stockton and Chris Martin, Jonny Malkin and Ben Whitehead miss out and Carl Watson faces a fitness test. Vaibhav Tiwari is likely to keep his place and Shaun Birbeck is likely to play.

Eppleton travel to Sacriston and secretary Ian Bestford said: “We expect to be back at full strength for our most significant game of the season to date, as we host fellow strugglers Eppleton. Reece Carr, Daniel Anderson, and Jack Keall return from holiday, to replace Phil Peel, Dominic Scott and Peter Scaife. Jonny Bushnell and captain Graeme Wrightson should recover from side and calf injuries in time.”

Shotley Bridge, leaders in Northumberland and Tyneside Cricket League travel to Swalwell in the match of the day and captain Paul Greenwell said: “We have one change this week with Stefan Dabrowski coming in to replace Jack Rowley.”

Swalwell captain Paul Dumighan said: “John Meadows is unavailable, so James Welch comes in to replace him. We are looking to follow up on a good win last Saturday, but it is going to be a hard game against an unbeaten Shotley Bridge. It’s not quite make or break yet, but it is a game we probably need to win to stay in contention for the title.”

Lanchester make one change at Newcastle City, Mark Small in for Bryan Potts.

In Division Two, Leadgate travel to Annfield Plain and home captain Sam Stephenson has Michael Hawdon, Matthew Smith and Tyron White in, to replace Sam Blake, John Newstead and Matthew Liddell.

There’s a double header in the Readers Durham Cricket League.

League leaders Easington welcome struggling Philadelphia and are expected to be at full strength for both games, as they play Esh Winning tomorrow. Dane Wilson returns to the team after being away on holiday.

Secretary Peter Booth said: “We’re hoping to keep our unbeaten run going and extend our lead at the top.”

Philadelphia will be unchanged, starting with a visit to Easington and the home game against Tudhoe on Sunday.

Captain Shaun Smith said: “Our league form has been disappointing but in cup ties, the club overall has done very well. If only we had been able to replicate our cup form into the league, we would be challenging for the title.”

Crook, in second place, journey to Whiteleas & Harton and are at home to Bill Quay.

Leas will be unchanged and skipper Andrew Potts said: “Crook are a very strong side and one of the favourites for the league, so we have to be on our game. Horden are next, and they’re in a similar position to us. It’ll be tough both games, but we have to believe in ourselves and hopefully we will do well.”

Esh Winning, in third place, welcome Durham City and are without Connor Surtees. Secretary Brian Gott said: “Some of our players struggle with back-to-back games, but we hope to get two wins.”

Tudhoe, in fourth place, travel to Bill Quay and Chairman Stephen Thexton said: “Ben Wicling returns to the squad, taking us back to full strength. We'll be looking to bounce back from our early season defeat against Bill Quay.”

Bill Quay have Joe Oliver stepping in for Neil Cuskeran. Secretary Chris Little said: “We have tough games this weekend against teams in the top five. We feel like we’re capable of beating anyone on our day, but we’ve been very inconsistent. We’re hoping we can make ourselves hard to beat in the second half of the season and it will help us as injured players come back.”

The bottom two sides meet up, as Horden travel to Mainsforth with a full-strength team, with Wayne Birks and Adam Hall returning. Dan Stephenson has moved from Eppleton, to bat at the top of the order and bring some much-needed runs to the line-up.

Mainsforth are without Nathan Wall, Will Reynard and Glenn Donaldson.