Neither team dare lose when the bottom two in the STL First Division, Sunderland RCA and Esh Winning, meet on Saturday.

Former Sunderland midfielder Martin Smith returns for the RCA, along with striker Richard Logan and midfielder Michael Coghlan. But Esh have several injury problems, with recent signings Andy Inness and Lee Yorke both ruled out, while keeper Andrew Spence and midfielders Stu Thompson and Paul Swithenbank are all doubtful. Former Hartlepool midfielder Mark Tinkler returns to the squad.

Neither team has won a league game yet this season, and they have scored only 16 goals between them.

Spennymoor Town, who are third are at home to new leaders Consett. Moors keeper Craig Turns is unavailable, so Craig Shields replaces him, while defender Steve Capper is also missing. Midfielder Paul Stephenson will have a fitness test. Consett have signed three players from Ryton, midfielders Ryan Bell and Craig Robson plus striker Dale Burrell, and they’ll go straight into the squad, but midfielder Mark Eccles is doubtful and keeper Gareth Powell returns.

Bedlington, who face Billingham Synthonia, will go top if they win and Spennymoor draw with Consett. The Terriers have doubts over striker Anthony Shandran and keeper Paul Newton, while they have put striker Dave Southern on the transfer list. Synners welcome back striker James Magowan after suspension, but another striker Nathan Jameson is struggling because of injury.

Bishop Auckland, who lost striker Wayne Gredziak to Bedlington last weekend, are at home to Jarrow Roofing, and they are badly hit by injuries, so much so that manager Colin Myers might have to go on the bench. They have signed Lewis Brown from Esh Winning, while Ryan Graham and Jordan Wymer have returned from Brandon.

Keeper Jak Wells and striker Peter Watling both return for Roofing, while Kevin Davison is unavailable. They have also signed defender Ross Preston from Ryton.

Tow Law, whose five game winning run came to an end in midweek, are at home to West Allotment, and they will be without player/manager Ian Davison because of injury, but defender Chris Killen and striker Matty Scott both return. Allotment include striker Lee Hamilton, signed from Ryton, and midfielder Gareth McAlindon from Tow Law.

Billingham Town, who have slipped down the table recently, are at home to Stokesley, and they have injury doubts over Craig Norman, Steve Flockett, James Middleton and Micky Dunwell, although Chris Dunwell could return. Stokesley are without striker Andy Jennings and midfielder Brian Close, but they have signed striker James Allsopp from Ryton.

South Shields, who scored eight last week, are at home to Penrith, and they add Stephen Ramsay to their squad for the first time this season.