The match of the day in the second division is between two of the promotion contenders, Gillford Park and Hebburn.

Gillford Park, who are third, will be at full strength with several players returning who missed the midweek cup defeat at Bedlington, while Hebburn, one place below them on goal difference go into the game full of confidence after coming from behind to beat Esh Winning in midweek. Manager Paul Bennett adds six players to his squad, including former Newcastle midfielder Jamie McClen.

Birtley, who are in sixth place, need to beat neighbours Washington to stay in the thick of the action. Keeper Andy Hunter will have a fitness test, while James Allsopp and Scott Garrett are both missing.

Darlington RA, who are in fifth place with only seven games remaining, need to win at Horden to stay in the hunt, and manager Nick Harrison is without strikers Paul Freary and Steve Allison, but midfielder Graeme Whitehead will return. Horden have signed keeper Keith Elliott from Harrogate Town as a replacement for Tom Orton, who broke his leg last week, while midfielder Dan Reeves has returned to the club from Consett. Manager Peter Mulcaster has appointed Keith Brown as his assistant.

Esh Winning, who are virtually out of the promotion race, face league leaders Team Northumbria and are hoping that their top scorer, Craig Mickle, will pass a fitness test. Stephen Oakley, Luke Wilson and Chris Smith all return to the squad.

North Shields, who are seventh, are at home to Brandon.

With only club probably going down, Chester-le-Street should be just about safe if they beat Ryton, and they welcome back striker Callum Patton, who played for England Under 19 colleges last week, while new signing Lee Cresswell, a defender, is also included.

Seaham Red Star are third bottom, and need to avoid defeat at Alnwick. New signing Josh Mincher will keep his place in the team, while skipper Michael McKeown and Michael Patterson should both pass fitness tests.

Bottom club Easington, who are four points adrift of the others, are at Whickham and will probably include new defender John Hutton, while several players who missed the midweek last minute defeat at Morpeth will probably return.

Northallerton, at home to Crook, while back striker Colin Anderson and defender Stuart Jackson, but they are missing two more strikers Darren Mowbray and Gavin Parkin.

Crook manager Gary Pearson is hoping to bring at least two new signings into his squad, because defender Robbie Bird, midfielder Richard Hodgson and striker Kevin Devine are all suspended, while midfielder John Toft is missing because of injury.