Crook Town are hoping to appoint a new manager before their away game at North Shields on Saturday.

Crook sacked Paul Adamson and Brian Maitland last week, and since then, Gary Pearson has been in charge.

They have been in talks with their number one target to join their proposedmanagement team, and are hoping to make an announcement before the game.

Should a new man be appointed, he will be facing a tough baptism, as Shields are second in the table.

Bobby Orton will look after the Horden side for their home game with Chester-le-Street. Orton is caretaker manager while the club looks for a replacement for Brian Honour, who quit in midweek.

Horden are currently second bottom of the table, and this could be fifth bottom Chester’s opportunity to open up a seven point advantage over Horden. They add defender Luke Gilhespy and striker Sam Renwick to their squad Northallerton will give Darren Mowbray his second debut after re-signing him from first division Norton, when they go to Esh Winning. Midfielder Gary Cook is still missing, Esh, who have lost only once in their last six league games, to go third, will be at full strength.

Seaham Red Star manager Steve Cook returns with his new club to his previous club Brandon, and he includes four players who were with him at the time, Ryan Graham, Tim Bowman, Lee Peachey and Micky Stothard. Midfielder Michael McKeown is added to the squad, while midfielder Michael Turnbull has recovered from injury.

Darlington RA, who are in sixth place, are at home to Gillford Park, and they will be without player-manager Nick Harrison, while strikers Paul Freary and Mike Colman are both injured. Another striker, Graeme Whitehead returns, while midfielder David Harrison will have a fitness test. James Parker returns for Gillford. But Tyran Taylor is missing because of a hamstring injury. Gillford have lost only one away league game this season.

Hebburn, who are at home to West Allotment, include new signing Callum Charlton from Easington in their 20 man squad, and they could also have a new striker in their squad. Allotment, the previous club of Hebburn manager Paul Bennett, are without Chris Rue because of suspension.

Bottom club Easington are at Morpeth, and manager Andy Colledge adds several new players to the squad, including Dale Crawford, Simon Todd, Callum Sweeney and Michael McAvoy who were all at the club last season, as well as defender Dan Sanders who was at Crook. He has also appointed former Peterlee boss Don Naylor as his assistant.

Birtley, who are in ninth place, are at Whitehaven, and they will be without suspended pair Andrew Grant-Soulsby and James Allsopp, but midfielder Craig Marron returns.

Thornaby are at Washington and will give a fitness test to new midfielder from Peterlee, Karl Garside, while another midfielder, Dave Turner, is suspended