Sunderland RCA manager Neil Hixon has told some of his players that they’re not world beaters.

The RCA, unbeaten in twelve league games this season, go into Saturday’s home game with West Auckland with a five point lead at the top, and Hixon warns; “On Tuesday night against Marske, we looked very ordinary for an hour. It was possibly a lack of complacency, and I pulled two or three of my players after that game and told them that they’re not world beaters. You just can’t relax in this league.”

Midfielder Scott Richards and defender Adam McGuinness will both have fitness tests, while another midfielder, Harrison Davies, returns.

West will certainly punish any sloppiness, as they thumped Guisborough 7-3 on Tuesday night, and it could have been several more. Striker Stuart Banks will have a fitness test, but defender Ross Preston is definitely missing because of injury.

Champions Spennymoor Town are at home to Whitley Bay, who lost their unbeaten record at Billingham Synthonia in midweek. Striker Anthony Peacock returns after missing the midweek game, but keeper Craig Turns is unavailable, so Robbie Deane will probably replace him. Whitley are without midfielder Paul Robinson, plus defenders Craig McFarlane and Darren Timmons, while central defender Brian Smith is doubtful.

Dunston are defending their 11 game unbeaten record at Norton, and manager Billy Irwin will have a full squad to choose from. Norton, in sixth place, are without midfielder Shaun Clarke, but striker Lev Yalcin and defender Darren Hollingsworth return.

Shildon have their second local derby in four days, this time against Bishop Auckland at Dean Street. The Railwaymen were very disappointing in their midweek defeat by Newton Aycliffe, and frustrated manager Gary Forrest will probably make changes.

Bishops will give veteran midfielder Phil Brumwell a fitness test, but centre half Wayne Clarke returns after suspension. Stuart Salvin and Phil Shead both return also.

Billingham Synthonia have a Teesside derby against Marske United at Central Avenue, and could field the same team that beat Whitley Bay in midweek, except for David Abel who is unavailable.

Marske, who had a morale-boosting midweek draw at leaders Sunderland RCA, are missing defender Mark Taylor and striker Rob Jones because of injury, while midfielder Steve Cochrane is doubtful with a thigh injury. Glenn Wesson and recent signing Leon Carling both return.

Newton Aycliffe, who are fifth, are at home to Newcastle Benfield, and will definitely be missing striker Ben Wood, who suffered a broken arm in midweek, while defender John Close will have a fitness test. Benfield are without their top scorer Micky Chilton because of injury, as well as midfielder Shaun Bell. Midfielder Phil Lumsden and striker Brian Dodsworth will both have fitness tests.

FA Cup heroes Ashington are at home to Jarrow Roofing, and they add defender Matty Grieve and midfielder Chris Fawcett to their squad, while midfielder Craig Scott will have a fitness test. Darren Lough, who suffered a bad head injury against Vauxhall last Saturday, will be out for at least three months. Roofing manager Richie McLoughlin will have virtually a full squad to choose from.

Consett , boosted by a good win at Bedlington in midweek to end their barren goalscoring run, are at home to Billingham Town, and manager Ken Lindoe will be without midfielder Jonjo Dickman and defender Jamie Poole, while he is also hoping to make at least one new signing.

South Shields are at home to bottom club Stokesley, who are hoping to build on a good performance at Bishop Auckland in midweek.

Tow Law are hoping to end their winless run at home to Guisborough, and manager Ian Davison could make changes as they try to climb out of the bottom two. Guisborough manager Chris Hardy was furious with his team’s performance at West Auckland in midweek, and he is poised to make several changes.