Allan Worthy last night sensationally quit Chester-le-Street and will make his debut for Gateshead Fell in this morning's game at Benwell Hill.

Rumour has been rife all week of a disagreement at Ropery Lane after Worthy, who captained the Cestrians, and Daniel Shurben both played for Northumberland last Sunday rather than in the club game against Greenock in the Cockspur Cup.

"I've decided to move on and I'm looking forward to playing and scoring as many runs as possible for the Fell. It's fair to say there has been a disagreement since last Sunday but I don't want to say any more on the matter," said Worthy.

Chester-le-Street official Keith Robson declined to comment but confirmed that Shurben will play for them today.

Worthy's move comes as a boost for Gateshead Fell, who will play the remainder of the season without an overseas player after Callum Ferguson was recalled by South Australia.

"He has been bothered with a shoulder injury which flared up again last week," said captain Nicky Phillips. "Callum knew he would be unable to bowl again this season and South Australia wanted him home quickly so they could oversee his treatment."

Kyle Coetzer is available today for the first time this season.

Captain Phil Nicholson is hopeful Callum Thorp and Paul Cummins will both be available for Benwell Hill.

"We expected Callum to play last Saturday but he got a call on the Friday informing him he would be required to substitute in the field for Jon Lewis, so he was at the Riverside rather than Ropery Lane," said Nicholson.

Chester-le-Street have a big gap to bridge if they are to end in pole position. They trail leaders South Northumberland by 76 points and must win - and win well - at Gosforth without the talents of Worthy.

Benwell Hill could have three players resuming today since Johnny Gill, who has played only once, is in contention.

South North have been in superb form but although the Cestrians have advanced in three major cup competitions, they have not been as successful in the league.

Tomorrow they visit Blaydon in the semi-final of the Banks Salver and on Wednesday host Esh Winning in the Matthew Oswald Cup before travelling into Nottinghamshire to play Caythorpe a week tomorrow in the quarter-finals of the Cockspur Cup.

Sunderland are second but 44 points off the top and they need a good haul from their fixture with Norton at Ashbrooke. Paceman Simon Brown, who had to withdraw from the attack in the middle of an over last Saturday, will undergo a late fitness test and missing are Tom Skillbeck and Greg Applegarth.

It is also all change for Norton, who miss Kenny Gresham and Stephen Purcifer, while Chris Williamson moves into the second XI. Opener Nicky Beall, Peter Armstrong and Ben Hall replace the trio.

Chris Hooker for Lee Mason is Stockton's only alteration at home to Blaydon, who won last week to move away from the relegation zone. It was the first time this year that they had scored more than 100 runs on opponents' soil and they will be hoping to emulate that performance at Stockton. They could again be minus strike bowler Craig Simpson even though he fielded as a sub last weekend.

Bottom-of-the-table Philadelphia visit Newcastle and need a win as they battle against finishing with the wooden spoon for a second successive season.

Despite a comprehensive defeat last Saturday, they name an unchanged XI. Newcastle, one place and 28 points above, have Andy Robson coming in for the unavailable Kingsley McGarrigle.

Durham Academy host Tynemouth at the Racecourse. The Seasiders miss Nick Forster and Saikat Sarkar is included.

l It's tight at the top with only nine points separating three sides in the Foster's Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League.

Fourth-placed Tynedale are also in with a chance of retaining the championship.

Leaders Swalwell meet Burnopfield at Derwenthaugh and their chances are enhanced by naming their strongest line-up.

Burnopfield's hopes could depend on the availability of Durham County's Neil Killeen.

The club anticipate he will be able to turn out and in his only game so far he bowled an extremely economical end and hammered a match-winning unbeaten 97. Paul Lumley is Burnopfield's only absentee.

Second-top Ashington meet Ponteland twice in two days and have home advantage both times. After today's league clash the sides meet in the final of the Foster's Cup.

Vice captain Greg Williams cannot play so Jonathan Sadler steps up.

Leadgate are third and favourites to defeat Lanchester, who share bottom position with Benwell and Walbottle.

A blow to Tynedale's chances of retaining the championship is the news that professional Stuart Graham will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. The club is looking for a replacement and anyone interested should contact Gary Cant on 01434 604 674.