High- flying Blaydon welcome Chris Varley back to league action this weekend, the return of the leg-spinner completing the final piece in a team jigsaw that should see them challenging for major honours right to the season's end.

Varley has been out of action for ten weeks after sustaining a broken elbow playing football, and the club have been careful not to rush him back too soon. He was on the verge of being ready a couple of weeks ago but it was decided not to risk him in league action, preferring to ease him back with a couple of cup run outs.

But now he is fully fit the side have a significant additional weapon in their already potent armoury as Varley was their leading league wicket taker in 2011 when he claimed 40 victims in his debut NEPL season.

With the early season pitches favouring seamers Blaydon have been able to manage his absence brilliantly and sit just ten points behind pacesetters Sunderland, and they will start as favourites in their game at Hetton today where the Lyons are still licking their injury wounds. The good news for the home team is that Shaun Birbeck and Gary Adey definitely return, but skipper John Tindale and star all-rounder Ryan Pringle remain doubtful.

Leaders Sunderland face up to their biggest challenges of the season over the next couple of weeks. In a run of four consecutive victories in May the Wearsiders have demonstrated a growing confidence about their cricket that suggests this is their best chance of honours since they won the championship back in the inaugural season of the NEPL.

But June presents a new challenge as skipper Dan Shurben explains: "I couldn't have asked for much more at this stage in the league, but the next fortnight is crucial and will determine how our season may pan out. We have South North this week and Chester away next week. But we are in good form and hope to keep our momentum going."

The match today against the champions is at Ashbrooke and the good news for home supporters is that the table-toppers will have a full strength side in the field with Chris Rushworth being confirmed as available.

The Bulls have shown some frailties this year with two defeats in their opening six games, but it would be unwise to underestimate their high performance squad and they, too, have their best team out for this one.

At the other end of the table it's stand up and be counted time when struggling Benwell Hill entertain the one team below them in the current rankings, Gateshead Fell.

And the game presents an intriguing extra twist as home professional Zohaib Khan pits his wits against his brother, Fell's overseas player, Shoaib Khan. Hill have Harry Munton back, while the Fell are able to include Ollie Durrell and Tim Raglan.

Jamie Harrison retained his place in Durham's county championship side so Stockton will have to cope without him once more in their game at Tynemouth.

The home team hand an opportunity to Marcus Turner after his 175 for the seconds last week, and another centurion returns with Rory Cox now finished his exams.

In the day's other games Chester-le-Street take home advantage against the Academy, but student Fraser Campbell has now left for the summer and Scott Borthwick is also unavailable, and Newcastle, still buzzing after knocking off almost 300 last week, entertain South Shields.