West Auckland will be trying to stretch their unbeaten run to six league matches when they go to Ashington on Saturday.

West haven’t lost in the league since Anth Smith took charge as manager, and today they are boosted by the return of striker Mattie Moffat, but other strikers Colin Larkin and Ian Ward are both injured, as well as defender Kris Wilkinson. Defender Darryl Hall is missing because of suspension.

Ashington had an excellent derby win at Whitley Bay in midweek, with striker Marc Walton scoring four. However, fellow striker Andy Johnson and midfielder James Taylor are both missing because of injury.

League leaders Bedlington are at home to Billingham Synthonia, and they include two new signings, Paul Dunn and Daniel Chambers, but Craig Hindmarch and Marc Walmsley are both missing because of injury.

Synners have a long list of missing players, three of whom Dan Dillon, Kris Hughes and Matt Osmond, were sent off at Newcastle Benfield a fortnight ago, while top scorer Mattie Sweet is injured.

Second placed Marske United will be trying to protect their unbeaten league record at home to Jarrow Roofing, and manager Carl Jarrett will have virtually a full squad to choose from except for striker Austin Johnston. Roofing, who are fifth bottom, will give striker Jonathan Wright a fitness test, but Bry Johnson is missing because of injury.

Second bottom Crook Town, who won their first league of the season in midweek, are at Penrith and include new signings James Evison, who has returned from Australia and Louis Whensley from Billingham Town. Both were previously at Darlington RA with manager Nick Harrison. They have also signed midfielder Gary Guyan from Sunderland RCA.

Bishop Auckland are at Guisborough, and include new keeper Rhys Jobling in their squad, but striker Danny Brunskill is unavailable. However, another striker, top scorer Johnny Butler, comes back into the reckoning after missing the midweek game at Birtley. Guisborough, who have scored 19 goals in their last four matches, will be almost at full strength, although they will be missing midfielder Adam Gell.

Newton Aycliffe face Whitley Bay at Moore Lane, and they could include two new signings. Whitley are without midfielder Alex Kempster who has a broken foot, and striker Peter Watling who has bruised ribs.

Consett, who are in midtable, are at fourth placed North Shields and are without midfielder Steve Bowey, while there are injury doubts over defenders Carl Piecha and Michael Pearson. Shields are without midfielders Adam Forster and Ben Richardson, while striker James Luccock returns.

Durham City, who surprisingly lost in the league cup in midweek, are at home to Celtic Nation, and include striker Callum Patton who has returned from a spell in Sweden. Defender Mark Baitey should return, but defender Chris Wallace and midfielder Steven Stewart are both missing. The Nation recall several players who missed the midweek defeat against Sunderland RCA, but Mark Boyd and Johnny Allan are both missing.

Morpeth, who are fifth, are at home to West Allotment, and they will give a debut to summer signing Dan Taggart who has just recovered from injury, and defender Paul Buzzeo. However, Chris Jewels, Shaun Henderson, Tom Wilson and Jordan Fry are all unavailable. Allotment, who haven’t won a league since the opening week of the season, are without player-manager Paul Stoneman, John Pendlebury and Chris Douglas, while Marc Dummett will have a fitness test.

In the second division Alnwick v Ryhope CW, Billingham Town v Ryton and Crawcrook, Birtley v Seaham Red Star, Chester-le-Street v Northallerton, Darlington RA v Willington, Heaton Stannington v Stokesley, Hebburn Town v Esh Winning, Team Northumbria v Tow Law, Thornaby v Brandon, Washington v South Shields, Whickham v Norton Darlington RA are at home to Willington hoping to extend their unbeaten run in the league to nine matches, but manager Paul Bowman will be missing several players because of injury and holidays. Willington, who are in 15th place, are without keeper Stephen Robinson and Liam Whitworth.

Tow Law have a tough away game at Team Northumbria, and they recall Gareth Ayers and Lewis Harrison to their squad, but Chris Killeen and Scott Brassell are both suspended.

Norton, who have scored 15 goals in their last two home games, are at Whickham, and they add striker Gary Mitchell to their squad, and he could replace another striker Nicky Martin, who is struggling because of injury. Midfielder Harrison Davies is missing, but midfielder Michael Joseph returns.

Hebburn, who are unbeaten in their nine league games so far, are at home to Esh Winning, and they will be missing Owen Peterson, Lee McMahon, Chris Smith and Ian Bickerstaffe, but Marc Costello returns.

Ryhope CW, who are seventh, are at Alnwick, and they welcome their top scorer, Jack Pounder, back into the side, as well as new signing Lee Jones from Seaton Carew. Keeper Chris Rookes and defender Steve Oakley both also return, but midfielder Craig Hughes returns is out because of suspension. Michael Charlton has moved to neighbours Sunderland RCA.

Billingham Town are looking for their first home league win of the season at home to Ryton and Crawcrook, and Micky Dolan, Harry Taylor and Tom Sweeney are all added to the squad, but defender Ian Bishop is missing because of suspension.

Northallerton are at Chester-le-Street, and manager Peter Mulcaster recalls six players who missed the midweek away game at Ryhope CW. Chester will give fitness tests to six players, while Robbie Draper is definitely missing. Manager Colin Wake is hoping to make two new signings before the game.

Fifth placed Seaham Red Star are at Birtley who have four players missing because of injury, Lee Best, Alan Herbert, Joe Gill and captain Paul Oxley.

Heaton Stannington face Stokesley, and are strengthened by the returns of Gary Dixon, Lewis Burns, Dean Deagle and Rob Pearson, while Andrew Weeks will have a fitness test. Stokesley, who are third bottom, include new keeper Dan Bowman and Dean Wilson.

Brandon who are bottom without a win, are at Thornaby and are without Aiden West, Andy Morris, James Davidson and David Fort, but Craig Roberts, Jonny Yip, Jeremy Allen and Luke Willis-Lavery all return.

South Shields, who are third, are at Washington and are strengthened by the returns of Paul Kane, Chris Feasey, Andy Renton and David Halliday. In the EvoStik League, Whitby Town are away to Matlock in Derbyshire.