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AFTER a month of frustration Redcar and Stokesley are at long last set to unveil their overseas professionals in today’s clash between the two sides.

The Seasiders had almost given up hope of Usman Arshad arriving, and at one time had been looking closely at alternatives, but the Pakistani was booked on a flight arriving in the UK a couple of days ago and he will make a long-awaited debut.

The 31-year-old is primarily a batsman, although he can also turn his hand to bowling leg-breaks, and he has enjoyed a first-class career in his home country which spans 96 matches in which he has scored just short of 5,000 runs at an average of 34.

Redcar have had plenty to worry about so far this season, with last weekend’s mauling at Hartlepool seeing them drop into the relegation placings at the foot of the table, but as well as Arshad they will also be able to include former skipper Steve Hutchinson following his return from offshore working, and with Neil Russell and Tyler Easton back the only disappointment has been the decision of promising youngster Sam Berry to transfer to Normanby Hall.

Stokesley have also finally ploughed their way through the mountain of red tape that accompanies the signing of an overseas player these days - Shrikant Wagh arrived from India on Thursday and goes straight into today’s team.

Wagh is just 26 years old and has played for India A as well as Rajasthan Royals. A left-arm seamer who can also bat, he has picked up 126 wickets in his first-class career which spans 46 matches. The player also received a ringing endorsement from Teddy Parida, who was such a well respected professional at Northallerton for many seasons. Stokesley haven’t had any difficulty piling on the runs so far despite the weather, so the availability of an additional cutting edge will give them hope they can improve on their current fifth placing in the table.

Berry’s arrival at Normanby Hall follows the recent acquistion of Chris Sawyer from Bishop Auckland, and both players will feature in the game at Leven Park where hosts Great Ayton have skipper David Grainge back at the helm at the expense of Josh Thompson.

The Aytonians have suffered more than most with the weather, the irony of being one of only two games washed out completely two weeks ago at Barnard Castle, and then suffering the same fate in last week’s home game when the Barney region was clear, has not been lost on them. The added interest in today’s encounter is that both clubs are locked together on 35 points, just one above the drop zone.

Elsewhere third-placed Middlesbrough are able to name an unchanged line-up for the visit of Barnard Castle to Acklam Park, Barney able to include Richard Borrowdale who is back from his holidays, whilst second-placed Hartlepool make one change for their game at Norton with in-form Ollie Mole replacing Chris Harrison. Craig Symington is back for the home side to take his place against his former club.

Keeper Dave Braithwaite returns from university to relieve Seaton Carew skipper Martin Skirving of his stand-in glove duties, and with Danny Black unavailable Danny Wilson replaces him for the home game against a Marton team for whom professional Alex Roberts is unlikely to feature.

There are top half of the table clashes at Guisborough, where an unchanged line-up will take on new leaders Richmondshire who bring in Mike Fleming following his 150 for the seconds a couple of weeks ago, and Marske, where a fit again Craig Gratton returns to the home dressing room when the Seasiders face champions Darlington who make one change with Sam Hardy in for Tom Sowerby.