Bishop Auckland centre half Sam Kitchen has returned to his former club Gateshead.

Kitchen, who signed for Bishops at the start of the season, has been unable to settle at Kingsway, and decided to return to the International Stadium.

Bishops agreed to not to field Kitchen in their FA Trophy tie at Stourport on Saturday, therefore enabling him to play for Gateshead in the competition.

Bishops are, in return, hoping to sign a player from Gateshead.

Bishops assistant manager Colin Richardson was admitted to hospital over the weekend.

Richardson felt unwell after Saturday's FA Trophy defeat at Stourport, and was admitted to Sunderland General Hospital on Sunday.

Bishops' league cup tie against Spennymoor was postponed on Wednesday night because of a waterlogged pitch, which means their group matches will have to be completed in January.

Bishops have two games outstanding in the league cup, as their game at Gretna was postponed last week because of heavy rain in the south of Scotland.

And as Bishops are due at Gateshead next Wednesday night in a league game, then they will have to complete their group matches next year. However, even that league game could be in doubt because Gateshead will be making a third attempt to play their FA Umbro Trophy tie at Hednesford on Monday night.

Former Bishop Auckland midfielder Jeff Smith has joined Third Division Macclesfield on loan.

Premiership club Bolton Wanderers bought him from Bishop Auckland during the summer, and he became a hit with some good performances for the Trotters' reserve side.

However, manager Sam Allardyce has decided to give him some first team experience, and has loaned him out to Macclesfield. Former Nottingham Forest striker Phil Starbuck has been named as the new manager of Premier Division club Hucknall.