In the second division, if bottom club Easington want a chance of avoiding relegation – they are currently eight points adrift -- then they need to beat third Seaham Red Star. Manager Paul Adamson will give a debut to new keeper Tom Courtney from Whitby. Dan Flounders, Chris Tarn and Dan Sanders are all missing. Seaham played on Thursday night at Brandon, and have an injury doubt over Michael Stothard.

Darlington RA, who are second just a points ahead of third, have a tricky away game at Morpeth, and manager Nick Harrison will have a full squad to choose from, except for injured striker Paul Freary. Morpeth are currently ninth in the table on the fringe of the promotion race.

Esh Winning, who are sixth, are at Alnwick, and manager Andrew Soppitt will be without Alex Wilson, while five other players are added to the squad. Esh put seven past Thornaby in midweek, when striker Craig Mickle scored four to take his tally for the season to 22.

The game of the day is between North Shields, who are third, and leaders Team Northumbria. Shields, who had a good win in midweek at Hebburn, include new signings Adam Rowntree and former Darlington striker Mark Sheeran in their squad.

Crook have a local derby at home to Brandon, and manager Gary Pearson is more than likely to field the same team that outplayed Birtley 4-0 in midweek. Defender Brian Fairhurst is suffering from a broken toe, and could be ruled out for the rest of the season.

Thornaby, who haven’t won in 13 league games, and they will have a tough job stopping that run at fourth placed Gillford Park. Manager Ray Morton adds seven players to the squad that was beaten by 7-1 at Esh Winning in midweek. Gillford give a home debut to striker Gavin Barton, signed from Spennymoor, while they will be without another striker, Marc Shiel.

Northallerton, who have lost their last four matches, are at fifth placed West Allotment, and they will be at full strength, except for midfielder Martin Butterworth. Allotment include new midfielder Lee Bell, signed from South Shields, in their team, but player-manager Paul Stoneman is suspended and striker Mark Minto is injured.

Hebburn, who have climbed steadily up the table in recent weeks, have a tough home game against Birtley, and manager Paul Bennett could make changes after their midweek defeat, but he will definitely be missing defender Jeff Forsyth because of suspension.

Birtley, who lost their nine game unbeaten record at Crook in midweek, are missing midfielders Craig Marron and Ben Johnson, but Kevin Dixon and Andy Hunter both return.

Chester-le-Street include new signing Jack Honour and John Gibbons in their squad for their local derby against Whickham, while Ryton include new signing Mark Fitzpatrick from Tow Law in their squad at home to Whitehaven.

Horden, who are second bottom, are at Washington and manager Bobby Orton awaits news of several players in his squad who played with a virus in midweek at Morpeth.