Dunston manager Billy Irwin is taking nothing for granted as he prepares for their much-delayed third round FA Carlsberg Vase tie at home to Leicestershire side Heather St Johns this afternoon.

Five other Northern League clubs have already booked their place in next Saturday’s fourth round, and many expect Dunston to make it six. However, Irwin isn’t getting carried away by the hype. “We’re not counting our chickens by any means,” he said.

“Heather St Johns are doing well in their league, and have some good players. People are saying that we’re strong favourites, but you’re only favourites if you win.”

Defender Kane Young, midfielder Steve Goddard and striker Fergal Harkin are all expected to return after missing the midweek Durham Challenge Cup win over Durham City.

In the STL Northern League, first division leaders Consett are at Billingham Town, and will probably be without defender Carl Piecha, who has a shoulder injury, while striker Lewis Teasdale could be out for the season with a knee injury. Defenders Michael Coulthard and Kieran Megran both return after recovering from flu, but Consett are still waiting for international clearance to come through for Steve Aiston and Richie Slaughter. Town welcome back striker Andy Jennings and full back Richard Dacombe.

Second placed Spennymoor Town, who are unbeaten away from home, should pick up all three points at bottom of the table Ryton.

Moors boss Jason Ainsley could rest some players with next week’s trip to Cadbury Heath in the Vase in mind, but he is hoping that keeper Craig Turns will be able to return after injury. Midfielders Alex Francis and Craig Hubbard are both still missing because of injury, while midfielder Craig Ruddy will have a fitness test on a knee injury. Ryton have lost every one of their home matches this season.

Shildon are hoping to bounce back from defeats against Coalville and Spennymoor in their home game with Bedlington at Dean Street, and manager Gary Forrest could make one or two changes to the team that lost at second placed Spennymoor in midweek.

Whitley Bay, who have a trip to Kent to consider next week in the Vase, are at home to Penrith, and they are strengthened by the return of four players to the squad – keeper Terry Burke, and outfield players Joe Cornforth, Greg Downes, Paul Robinson and Darren Timmons.

West Auckland are at Jarrow Roofing, whose facilities have been badly hit by flooding recently, and they are without striker Stuart Banks and midfielder Tom Berj, who are both suspended. Mick Rodenby and Aaron Croft are both injured for Roofing.

Tow Law, who have suffered three postponements in the last week, are at Ashington, and have signed striker Andrew Thompson from Shildon. Matty Scott and Mike Hall will both have fitness tests. Ashington, who beat Whitley Bay in the Northumberland Senior Cup in midweek, have fitness doubts over Darren Lough and James Taylor, as well as midfielder Scott Blandford.

In the fight against relegation, Bishop Auckland are hoping to stage only their second home league game at Heritage Park against Norton. Wayne Gredziak will make his return debut after rejoining the club from Bedlington, while midfielder Steve Salvin will have a fitness test. Norton will be without midfielder Steve Huggins, but Dale Mulligan could return after injury.

Stokesley, who are third bottom, have an important home game against Sunderland RCA, their first since November. Manager Ted Watts chooses from a 19 man squad, while the RCA are missing Scott Richards and Marc Ellison, but defender Leon Carling returns. The RCA have scored just seven goals away from home this season in the league.

Billingham Synthonia, who are fourth bottom, three points above the relegation zone, go to Newcastle Benfield, whom they beat in the Vase earlier in the season. Defender Mark Scott and midfielder Nathan Jameson will both have fitness tests. Benfield have conceded only eight goals at home this season.

Second bottom Esh Winning are at South Shields, and manager Peter Mulcaster will be without striker Ian Ward because of injury. Shields, who were beaten 6-2 at Bedlington in midweek, are missing defenders Paul Stoneman and Darryl Hall. Esh have lost 10 of their 13 away games this season.