Chester-le-Street’s ambitions of success on three major fronts have been hit by the news that key strike bowler Graeme Cessford won’t be available to them after this weekend following a posting by the RAF.

Cessford spent a short spell with Worcestershire in 2014 after the RAF granted him elite athlete status, which meant he could take up the opportunity of playing county cricket before returning to the military. He took 17 first-class wickets before returning to the Cestrians at the beginning of this season.

The Cestrians main problem in their recent league run of just one win in eight has been their inability to bowl sides out, and the loss of a man who has taken 37 wickets this campaign will leave a big gap to fill, although the club also see it as an opportunity for youngsters like Josh Wilson and Stephen Cantwell to stake a claim for a regular place at the first team table.

Cessford will want to make a major contribution this weekend before his job takes him away, firstly in the league match at Blaydon today, and then in tomorrow’s area finals of the National T20 at Seaton Carew, where the Cestrians will be favourites to progress to the last eight.

As well as the T20, Chester are in the last eight of the national 45-over cup, which they play in next weekend, but league points are their immediate concern as they try to keep tabs on leaders South North.

Hosts Blaydon, who still have relegation concerns, are boosted by the return of Graeme Bridge from a serious hand injury that has sidelined him for the last month, although overseas player Ken McClure misses out.

South North, who lead Chester by 15 points, have skipper John Graham back for their trip to Tynemouth where their hosts bring in Nick Armstrong and Richie Straughan for the unavailable Ben Debnam and Marcus Turner

Stockton won’t have Keaton Jennings, but will have Jamie Harrison, when they go to bottom club Gatehead Fell who have Graham Onions lined up to play in place of Barry McCarthy, and Whitburn welcome back Craig Smith when they entertain Durham Academy, the paceman now fully recovered from long-term injury.

In the First Division things are not looking good for South Hetton. After spending much of the season anchored to the foot of the table they have now lost their overseas player, Alfred Mathoa, who has returned home to South Africa after suffering a series of injuries.

Earlier in the season hamstring and ankle problems severely curtailed his effectiveness, and just when he was getting back to something like full fitness he split the webbing on his hand when fielding off his own bowling last week. With at least a month required for recovery his return home means he won’t be seen again this summer.

Hetton trail second-bottom Sacriston by 18 points, with just seven games remaining. Daniel Stewart comes into the side as Mathoa’s replacement for the vital game at Seaham Harbour, while the home team make two changes with Niall Cowell and Mark Marwood in for the unavailable Stephen Sennett and Jeff Laws.