The top two in the second division, Newton Aycliffe and Guisborough, don’t have a game, so the chasing pack have an opportunity to reduce the deficit.

North Shields, who are third, are at home to Northallerton, and manager Anthony Woodhouse will be Ross Atkinson and Andrew Wright Northallerton will try to give striker Matthew Coad his debut at the third attempt, while Richard Thompson returns after suspension.

Marske United face Horden at Mount Pleasant on the back of an 8-2 midweek win over Crook to put them into fifth place, and they will give a fitness test to midfielder Anthony Ormerod, but another midfielder Rob Jones, is missing because of injury.

Horden are without defender Ash Corker, who is having a trial at Grimsby.

Darlington RA have a tough away game at Whickham, who are in fourth place, and manager Nick Harrison welcomes striker Garry Barnes back into the squad that beat Seaham Red Star 3-0 in midweek.

Crook, who are in eighth, need to beat Hebburn at the Millfield to stay in touch with the leaders, and manager Brian Maitland will probably make changes to the team that was hammered by Marske in midweek. Regardless, striker Kevin Devine return after suspension. Hebburn have signed keeper Richard Oliver from Esh Winning.

Chester-le-Street can do themselves a big favour if they beat Whitehaven, who are level with them on points. Midfielder Steve Halliday will be missing because of suspension. Chester have had two games postponed less than an hour before kick off in the last fortnight.

Washington, who have moved up to the fringe of the promotion race in recent weeks, are at bottom club Morpeth, although the match is doubtful because of the state of Morpeth’s pitch. Keeper Dan Molyneux is out because of injury, while strikers Nicky Martin and Craig Coates will both have fitness tests. Morpeth, who haven’t won in the league yet this season, will give late fitness tests to Alex Lawson and Steve Monaghan.

Thornaby, who are at home to sixth placed Team Northumbria, add Mark Liley, Iain Bickerstaff and Darren Morton to their squad.

Defender Richie Latimer returns to the Birtley side for their home game with Brandon, with Ben Richardson, Mick Young and Andy McIntosh all having fitness tests. Brandon, who are second bottom, will give striker Steve Fothergill his much delayed return debut, while they have also signed John Guy from Crook.