West Auckland manager Andy Campbell is hoping that West can secure their second boost in three days when they go to Bedlington this afternoon.

West reached the semi finals of the Durham Challenge Cup on Thursday night when they won at Easington, and go into this afternoon’s game second bottom of the table, a point behind Bedlington with two games in hand.

“This is a huge game for both teams,” said Campbell. “We will be going into the game confident after our win on Thursday. These big games are why players love to play.”

Campbell could have a new signing before the game, but he will be without defender Matthew Bell and midfielder Dave Edwards, while defender John Brackstone returns.

Leaders Shildon play Durham City for the second time in four days, having beaten them 3-0 in the League Cup on Tuesday night. Billy Greulich-Smith, who scored four last Saturday against Washington, is struggling because of injury, while another striker, Paul Connor, is also ruled out. Defender Carl Jones will also have a fitness test.

Sixth bottom Durham, who haven’t won in nine league matches, will add Harvey Saunders and Dave Coulson to their squad as they were ineligible in midweek, while Mike King and Thomas Gilbey are also added to the squad.

Shildon have announced that Brian Burn is stepping down as chairman at the end of the season, with David Dent replacing him.

Guisborough, who are second, face Ashington at the King George, and manager Steve Dowling will choose from a full squad, Striker Danny Earl has now scored 19 league goals this season. Ashington welcome back former Darlington winger Josh Gray, but there will be fitness tests for new signing Andy Bulford, Micky Dixon and James Taylor. Definitely out are Dylan Williamson and Scott Blandford.

Newton Aycliffe return to league action after their Vase and DCC exploits with a home game against Jarrow Roofing, and they will be at full strength. This is only Aycliffe’s eighth home league game of the season.

Roofing, who are seventh bottom but with games in hand on all but one of the teams below them, welcome back Josh Allen, but Anth Myers is out because of injury.

Bottom club Norton, who had a good away win at Whitley Bay in midweek, are at home to Consett, and they will be missing midfielder Adam Cocks because of a knee injury, but defender Curtis Collantine returns after work commitments. Another defender, Dale Elgie, is unavailable.

Consett are without keeper Peter Jeffries because of suspension, so manager Colin Myers is looking for a replacement keeper. Joe Grant, Dan Madden and Matty Slocombe are all missing because of injury.

Washington, who are in fifth place, are at home to West Allotment, and welcome back Paul Wardle and Chris Wallace, who were both cuptied in midweek, while James Cassidy will have a fitness test. Defender Anthony Callaghan has returned to the club after a spell at Darlington.

Marske United go to Penrith, and they could overtake Washington if they win. Midfielder Austin Johnston is missing because of injury Marske beat Penrith 2-0 in the league cup in midweek.

Bishop Auckland go to Seaham Red Star and include new signing Michael Hoganson from Spennymoor in their squad. However, they will be without injured midfielder Sean Tarling. Seaham will probably include David Palmer, who scored six goals for Bishop earlier in the season before his move to Seaham, for whom he has also scored six.

Sunderland RCA and North Shields, both of whom have been knocked out of the FA Vase in the last week, meet at Meadow Park. Strikers Liam Hatch and Michael Charlton both return, but James Armstrong, Ross McNab and James Cooke are all injured. Shields, who were beaten by Morpeth on Monday, welcome back John Parker, Michael McKeown and Brad Brooking.

Newcastle Benfield, who are 15th, are at home to fourth bottom Whitley Bay.

Benfield, who have only played once in the last two months, will be at full strength. Whitley are also at full strength, but manager Paddy Atkinson could make changes after they lost to Norton in midweek.

In the second division, leaders South Shields, who have lost their last two league games, are at home to Whickham, and they welcome back former Sunderland midfielder Julio Arca, who missed the win over Gateshead in midweek. Defender Lewis Galpin is out with a broken leg.

Second placed Ryhope CW are at Ryton and Crawcrook, and hoping to bounce back from last week’s defeat by Chester-le-Street. Top scorer Conor Winter might miss the game because of illness, and Chris Trewick will be missing because of injury. Defenders Tom Bott and Kyle Davis will return.

Chester-le-Street, who are third, are at home to Hebburn, and manager Colin Wake will have a full squad to choose from apart from Aiden Aimes who is injured.

Hebburn welcome back Chris Smith after suspension, and also James Talbot, but striker Shaun Reay is left out as he is on the transfer list.

Billingham Synthonia, who are level on points with Chester, are at Easington, and they will be at full strength except for defender Jordan Robinson, who has left the club in order to play abroad.

Eighth placed Darlington RA need to beat Heaton Stannington to stay in touch with the leading pack, and they are without several players for various reasons – Liam Brown, Karl Hewitt, James Beauchamp, Ste Cheeseman and Dean Irvine, Heaton, who are tenth, have doubts over Matty Hayton and Mikel Thompson because of injury, while Steven McCabe and Kye Waters are both missing.

Northallerton, who are sixth, are away to Thornaby and manager Darren Trotter will choose from a full squad.

Billingham Town are at home to Crook, and manager Barry Oliver will have a full squad to choose from as they try to extend their winning run to five matches. Crook, who dropped to fifth bottom in midweek, will be without Damon Ellis, who suffered a broken leg in midweek, as well as Peter Brown and Lee Newby, while Josh Bynoe and Reece Brown should both return.

Esh Winning could climb out of the bottom two if they beat Willington at Waterhouses. Esh, who signed former pros Bruno Pilatos and Ryan Noble last week, welcome back striker Kris Goss after suspension, but they are missing Nathan Graham because of work while Chris Locke will have a fitness test. Willington have picked up only one point on their travels all season.

Bottom club Stokesley have a tough game away to Team Northumbria, and manager Craig Winter will have a full squad to choose from. Stokesley won only their second league game of the season last week.

In the other game, Tow Law are at home to Alnwick.