Forrest says that West clash won't be anticlimax

Shildon stunned Whitby from two leagues above them in the FA Cup in midweek to clinch a tie against Stalybridge, and go into the West game in fifth place in the table.

“This will be a very tough game against a team that appear to have improved under the new management,” said Forrest. “I watched them the other night and they are playing a lot more football. I would expect a tight game. They will be thinking that this game might be one of those 'after The Lord Mayors show' performances from Shildon, but we have an excellent attitude in the changing room with some experienced players and I would hope that will not be the case.”

Striker Paul Connor will be missing because of injury, while Wednesday’s matchwinner Micky Rae and midfielder Lee Paul Scroggins will both have fitness tests.

West, meanwhile, are badly hit by injuries, with four strikers – Mattie Moffat, Ian Ward, Colin Larkin and Jordan Laidler – all struggling, along with defenders Adam Wilkinson and Jonny Gibson and midfielder Paul Garthwaite. Centre half Darryl Hall is definitely out because of suspension. West are in second on the back of a run of four straight wins.

Consett, who are unbeaten this season in seven league games, are at Ashington, and are without suspended winger Adam Nicholls and injured full back David Brown, but Ryan Bell should return from holiday. Ashington include new signing Tony Stephenson from Crook, while Connor Grant and Dean Critchlow are both added to the squad after missing the midweek defeat at Scarborough. However, striker Andrew Johnson, plus James Taylor and Craig Robson are all missing.

League leaders Bedlington are at home to Newcastle Benfield, who also have a big FA Cup tie on the horizon. Bedlington, who are four points clear, will be with Craig Hindmarch and Marc Walmsley, but otherwise manager Ian Skinner will choose from a full squad. Benfield are still without defender Andrew Leeson because of a broken nose, while keeper Andrew Grainger is doubtful because of injury. However, Mark Turnbull returns to the squad.

Two teams above the relegation zone, Billingham Synthonia and Newton Aycliffe meet at Central Avenue. Synners have several players injured, including top scorer Michael Sweet and defender Lee Newby, while Aycliffe manager Allan Oliver is almost certain to make changes.

Guisborough, who have steadily climbed the table in recent weeks, are at home to West Allotment, and they have an injury doubt over striker Danny Earl, but Peter Bulmer, Luke Bythway, Danny Dixon and Andy May all return to the squad.

Allotment, who are sixth bottom, are without player-manager Paul Stoneman and Chris Douglass because of injury, while John Pendlebury is unavailable and Liam Hudson is suspended.

Bottom club Crook Town, who haven’t won a league game in ten attempts this season, are at Marske United, and they include new signing Adrian Webster, who quit as Newton Aycliffe manager a fortnight ago, in their squad. Marske, who lost for the first time this season in the Cup in midweek, include new signing Sam Garvie from Shildon in their squad, but they have injury doubts over midfielder Craig Gott and striker Reece Kelly.

Fourth bottom Jarrow Roofing have a local derby at home to Sunderland RCA, and they are boosted by the returns of Corey Barnes and Kieran Whitehead, but Dan Carson and Bry Johnson are both missing. The RCA yesterday appointed former Ryhope CW and Bishop Auckland manager Martin Swales as their new manager.

Durham City manager Ian Chandler returns to his old club Whitley Bay, and he has doubts over defender Arjun Purewal and midfielder Jonny Davis, while defender Mark Baitey comes back into the squad. Whitley, who conceded six at West Auckland in midweek, are still without defender Chris Reid but manager Leon Ryan could consider changes.

In the other game, third in the table Morpeth are away to Penrith.

In the second division, Northallerton are at home to fellow promotion chasers Washington, and new signings Stuart Owen from Newton Aycliffe and Adam Pinkney from Crook will probably make their home debuts. Washington, who scored nine at Stokesley last weekend, include new signing Anthony Callaghan from Whitby in their squad.

Norton, who scored eight last week, are at home to Birtley and include new full back Lee Farrington, signed from Northallerton, in their squad. Midfielder Michael Joseph is very doubtful, but defender Dale Mulligan returns. Birtley are still without long term injured Lee Best, Alan Herbert and Joe Gill, while they are hoping Jake Watchman can play if his international clearance comes through.

Norton have won all four of their home league games this season.

Hebburn, who are unbeaten in the league so far, are at Willington, and they will be without top scorer Channon North and defender Ian Bickerstaffe because of injury, while there will be fitness tests for Marc Costello and Callum Smith. Willington, who scored seven in midweek, welcome back David Lee, Dean Hansom and keeper Stephen Robinson, but James Seymour and Jonathan Bains are both missing.

Stokesley, who conceded nine at home to Washington last week, are at home to Billingham Town who are without a league win this season. Lloyd Evans returns to the starting line up, but Nathan Calvert, Callum Revely and Kristian Kamara are all struggling because of injury. Town, who won at Crook in midweek in the Durham Challenge Cup, are without defender Ian Bishop because of suspension.

South Shields, who have won their last six matches to go third, are at home to Heaton Stannington, and they will have a full squad except for Lee Maitland and Steve Hubery. Heaton should have a full squad to choose from with five players returning after holidays.

Third bottom Tow Law are at home to Chester-le-Street and are without three players who are unavailable, but Robbie Blemmings returns to the squad. They also include new signing Gareth Ayres from West Auckland and Jonathan Hewitson from Birtley. Chester have doubts over Chris Stephenson, Stephen Telford and Craig Marron, but Jake Stafford and Andrew Grant Soulsby are definitely out.

Fourth bottom Esh Winning have a winnable game at home to Thornaby, and they add six players to the squad who missed the midweek cup defeat at Tow Law. Thornaby, who conceded six in midweek, will sign a new keeper in time for the game as first choice Michael Duff is suspended, as well as midfielder Kieran Edwards and defender Craig Winter. Striker Jamie Clarke is also missing because of injury.

Whickham are at Alnwick, and they will be missing quartet Levi Osman, Matty Atkin, Dean Sinclair and Craig Jelly, but manager Robin Falcus still chooses from 20 players, who include Scott Donaldson, signed from Crook.

Brandon, who have yet to win a league game this season, are at home to league leaders Team Northumbria, and include midfielder Steven Turnbull, signed from Durham City.

TN surprisingly lost at Alnwick in midweek.

In the other game, Seaham Red Star are at home to Ryton and Crawcrook.

In the Durham Challenge Cup, Darlington RA are at Wearside League Wolviston, and they add Andy McLeod, Phil Caley and Mike Coleman to the squad that drew at Ryhope in midweek.

In the Evo-Stik League, Whitby are at home to Marine, and Blyth make the long journey down the A1 to Stamford.