Newton Aycliffe's star striker, Warren Byrne, returns after a two match ban at home to Team Northumbria on Saturday.

Byrne missed the Durham Challenge Cup tie against Consett and the league game against Darlington RA last week, and he will try and help Aycliffe maintain their slender lead at the top of the table.

However, it's probaly just as well that he is returning, because two other strikers, Danny Mellanby and Elliott Gardner, are both missing.

Guisborough, one pboint behind Aycliffe with two games in hand, are at Whickham and will be missing suspended striker Austin Johnson, while Nathan Steel is away with the North Riding junior squad. Whickham have signed striker Andy Snaith from Consett, while Adam Wilkinson and Scott Robson come back into the side.

North Shields, who are unbeaten in their last six league games, travel over to Whitehaven, and manager Anthony Woodhouse will have a squad of 22 to choose from, despite the fact that three players are missing because of injury. Gary Cooke has been placed on the transfer list at his own request.

Crook, who have dropped to sixth in recent weeks because of three games without a win, are away to Birtley, but they welcome back key players Anthony Dobell, Andy Appleby and Kevin Devine. Centre half Paul Moss will have a fitness test. Birtley have lost former West Brom midfielder Stuart Nicholson to neighbours Hebburn after just a few weeks at the club, but Dave Hopper and Owen Peterson both return.

Thornaby face Marske in a Teesside derby. Dean Fox and Gez Wraith are both missing for Thornaby, while Marske, who are in third on goal difference, have injury doubts over striker Danny Brunskill and midfielder Andy Swalwell.

Second bottom Brandon are away to fourth bottom Horden, and they will give fitness tests to striker Marc Costello and midfielder Micky Stothard. Horden are hoping that Dan Parker and James Murphy will return to the squad.

Northallerton, who are fourth bottom, are looking to build on last week’s good win over Whitehaven at home to Darlington RA. However, defenders Andy Ramsbottom and Craig Winter are both suspended, while the inconsistent RA are hoping that player-manager Nick Harrison will pass a late fitness test Chester-le-Street, who are eight have a local derby at Washington, and they include new striker Ben Johnson, signed from Consett, while they have an injury doubt over midfielder Robbie Draper. Washington, who haven’t won in their last six games, will give fitness tests to keeper Dan Molyneux and striker Nicky Martin.

Gillford Park will hopefully play their first home game of the season after a series of problems against bottom club Morpeth.