Both Newton Aycliffe and Crook could do with a morale boost when they play each other at Moore Lane this afternoon.

Aycliffe are fifth bottom having won only once this season in five games, but manager Ady Webster is close to choosing from a full strength squad for the first time this season, with only midfielder Dion Raitt missing because of injury, while defender Dan Mitton and midfielder Martin Young will have fitness tests. He will probably give an outing to former Hartlepool striker Zak Boagey. However, midfielder Lewis Wing has gone to Seaham Red Star.

Crook are winless at third bottom, but have shown some improvement in their last three matches. Manager Nick Harrison includes new striker, Dean Thexton from Tow Law, while Adam Pinkney and Kieron Weekes both return. He still has several players missing though.

Bottom club Sunderland RCA, without a point so far this season are at home to Guisborough, welcome back Ross Preston, Andrew Brown, Gary Wood and Gavin Barton, while they will give defender Danny Wray a fitness test. Guisborough have injury doubts over striker Danny Earl and defender Curtis Round, but Luke Bythway, Peter Bulmer and Matt McQueenie all return to the squad.

Billingham Synthonia, who are also without a win, are at home to Celtic Nation and are without ten players for various reasons including keeper Joe Williamson, so manager Lee Tucker has signed keeper Jonny Ball and defender Ryan Foster. Midfielder Matty Osmond returns after injury. The Nation are without Martin Coward because of suspension, while Johnny Allen and Tyran Taylor are both injured.

Whitley Bay are at Penrith, and player-manager Leon Ryan adds himself to the squad along with striker Peter Watling, but defender Chris Reid and Craig Smith are both out because of injury Morpeth have a local derby at home to Bedlington, and they are without injured striker Dan Taggart, while defender Matty Grieve is an injury doubt. Stephen Forster and David Hiftle both return. Bedlington are severely weakened with seven players missing because of various reasons, but Stephen Young and Sam Walton should both return.

In the second division, the game of the day is between promotion chasing Hebburn and Norton. Hebburn, who are sixth, are without the injured Chris Smith and unavailable Mick Watson.

Norton, who are one place below them, will be without midfielder Dale Mulligan, striker Harrison Davies and defender Richie Gaston, but they are hoping that midfielder Michael Joseph and striker Nicky Martin will pass fitness tests.

Darlington RA, who have won their last three matches, are at Tow Law, and they will be missing Stephen Cheeseman because of suspension, while Paul New, Jordan Hanratty and Jacob Wood are all out. However, Rob Moncur and Mike Coleman come into contention. Lawyers should have Kieran Martin and Anth Lee available, but defender Michael Robson is missing.

Fourth bottom Stokesley are at home to leaders Team Northumbria, and they welcome back Danny Jones and Adam Taylor, but Sean Makin, Ben Darville and Lloyd Evans are all missing. TN have lost just once in the league this season.

Billingham Town, without a win so far this season, are at Alnwick, and they will be missing defender Stephen Hodgson while Michael Watson and Michael Dalton will both have fitness tests. They include defender Ian Bishop, signed from Thornaby.

Bottom club Brandon have a local derby against Willington, and they will be missing three players, but Mark Ferguson, David Rush and Declan Lavery all return. David Fort and Neil Jackson will both have fitness tests. Willington manager Rob Lee chooses from a squad of 17, and has a doubt over keeper Stephen Robinson, Defender Michael Hillary is unavailable.

Birtley, who suffered only their second defeat of the season in midweek, are at Heaton Stannington, and are missing Lee Best, Jak Mitchell and Alan Herbert, but Gavin Lisle could return to the squad.

Lee Johnson, Lewis Burns and Dan Chambers all return for Heaton, while they have received international clearance for Mike Cheswick. However, Gary Dixon and Richie Hoggins are both unavailable.

Third bottom club Esh Winning will have their recent revival tested at Ryhope CW, and they include new signing Joseph Johnson, while Paul Richardson returns to the squad.

One of the surprise packages so far this season, Ryton and Crawcrook, are at home to Chester-le-Street, who add keeper Aiden Aimes to their squad on his return from suspension, and he will probably replace Scott Cresswell. Six players are missing for various reasons.

Thornaby could include a new keeper in their team against South Shields, while defender Craig Winter could be in line to start. Defender Lee Bythway is unavailable.

In the Evo-Stik League, Blyth are at Halesowen, and Whitby Town are at home to Witton Albion.