Bishop Auckland manager Steve Riley is hoping that the best is yet to come from recent signing Fred Woodhouse.

The former Northallerton and Newton Aycliffe striker ran riot last weekend by scoring six against Holker Old Boys in the FA Vase in Bishops’ 7-1 win, and Riley said; “Fred will start the game, and we’re hoping that he can be that creative spark in the final third of the field, as he has been excellent so far, and is still only 80 per cent fit.

“We’re expecting a tough game today, but will be looking to take all three points and build some momentum after last week’s Vase game.”

Bishops have added striker Harvey Saunders to their squad from Darlington RA. Saunders has scored two hat tricks for the RA this season, but have injury doubts over full back Jeff Smith, midfielder Adam Nicholls and centre half Arjun Purewal.

Bishops are currently 14th in the table, but only three points above the relegation zone, while Allotment are third bottom and have yet to win at home this season.

Shildon, whose lead is now four points, are at Ashington, and they will be missing striker Ben Wood and midfielder Bobby Moore, both because of suspension. Manager Gary Forrest will be looking for a much-improved performance following their defeat by Consett last Saturday. Ashington are badly hit by injuries with four players definitely missing, while six others, including top scorer Andrew Johnson, are facing late fitness tests.

Bottom club West Auckland go to Consett still searching for their elusive first away league win of the season. Defender Dave Abel and midfielder Jack Proctor both return to the squad, but they are missing striker Michael Jameson and keeper David Knight. Consett manager Colin Myers is sure to make changes following their 5-2 home defeat by Morpeth in midweek.

Newton Aycliffe are at Durham City, and they have fitness doubts over strikers Matty Moffat and Stuart Banks as well as keeper James Winter, so manager Peter Dixon might bring in a new signing before the game.

Durham are without their new Portuguese winger Flavio Pereira Da Veiga, but they are boosted by the returns of Jason Blackburn, Chris Wallace, James Fairley and Aidan Haley.

Guisborough, who are in fourth place, are at home to Sunderland RCA, and aiming to bounce back from their defeat at Norton in midweek. Striker Steven Snaith is missing because of suspension, but midfielder Chay Liddle and defender Robbie Bettson both return to the squad. The RCA are missing six players, including former Guisborough player Colin Larkin.

Morpeth, who are second, are at home to Jarrow Roofing, and will definitely be without defender Chris Jewels, while there are injury doubts over Keith Graydon, Shaun Bell, Dan Taggert, Shaun Henderson and Chris Swailes Roofing, who are 15th, welcome back Corey Barnes, Anth Myers and Jamie Marshall to their squad.

North Shields striker Gareth Bainbridge is in line to make his 100th appearance for the club at home to Dunston UTS. He has scored 105 goals in that time. Skipper Kevin Hughes, Adam Forster and James Luccock will all have fitness tests. Dunston, who have only conceded three league goals away from home this season and are unbeaten away, include new signings Kai Hewitson from Tow Law and Dale Pearson from West Allotment in their squad.

Norton and Stockton, who had an excellent win over Guisborough in midweek, are at Washington, and will be almost at full strength except for defender Brad Staunch. Norton have now climbed to sixth from bottom. Washington, who are unbeaten in the league this season after nine games, are at full strength.

Newcastle Benfield are at home to Penrith, and have a big doubt over their top scorer Paul Brayson, while another striker, Dan Taylor, is unavailable.

In the other game, Seaham Red Star, who are fourth from bottom, are at second bottom Bedlington.

Second Division In the second division, leaders Chester-le-Street are at Easington, and manager Colin Wake will choose from a full squad, apart from midfielder Craig Marron who is out because of injury.

Darlington RA, who are in third place, are at home to Brandon, and are without their top scorer, Harvey Saunders who has gone to Bishop Auckland, while Jordan Hanratty and Joe Peel are both missing. The RA are unbeaten at home in the league this season.

Northallerton, who are seventh, tackle Billingham Synthonia, who are two places below them. Northallerton manager Danny Mellanby chooses from an unchanged squad, while Synners, who are unbeaten in their last six league matches, welcome back Reece Kenney and Jamie Barton into their squad.

Willington’s new manager, Gary Innes, takes charge for the first time at home to Alnwick and he will be missing at least five players because of injuries. Innes takes over from Rob Lee, who quit earlier in the week after over five years in charge.

South Shields, who are second, are at home to Ryton and Crawcrook, and they welcome midfielders Julio Arca and Lee Paul Scroggins back into their squad, while another midfielder, Robbie Briggs, could also return.

Billingham Town, who are at home to Hebburn, include new signing Chris Dickinson from West Auckland in their squad. Dickinson has been at Huddersfield and Darlington in the past. Drew Lambert also returns to the squad. Hebburn, who are sixth from bottom, welcome back keeper Steve Hubery and defender James Talbot after injury, while midfielder Callum Smith will have a fitness test.

Crook are playing their second game in two days when they face Stokesley at the Millfield. They beat Easington on Thursday night.

Stokesley haven’t won in the league yet this season, but they won at Tow Law in the Vase last week. However, they have several players missing because of injury.

Ryhope CW face Heaton Stannington and are without injured quartet Steve Oakley, Martin Metcalfe, Craig Hughes and keeper Chris Rookes. Striker Damien Stevens will have a late fitness test. Heaton will give fitness tests to Adrian Watson, Matty Hayton and Joe Wear.

Thornaby, who are in 10th place, are at home to Esh Winning, and will be without keeper Adrian Beblowski because of suspension, and unavailable striker Stephen Morrison. Midfielder Curtis Edwards has returned to the club after a spell in Sweden. Esh, who have lost six of their seven away league games this season, include new signings Scott Duggan and Dan Kent, while Gavin Mudd and Dom Langdon also come back into the squad.

Tow Law are at home to promotion chasing Team Northumbria, and are without their top scorer Kai Hewitson, who has gone to Dunston, but they have replaced him with Adam Burnicle from Willington. Manager Steve Murray will have a full squad to choose from, except for Lee Blades.

Birtley are at Whickham in a local derby, and they hope to include new signing Alex Peake, but they are missing five players because of injury.