Crook Town can’t afford to lose when they travel to fellow strugglers Sunderland RCA on Saturday.

Second bottom Crook have won just once in the league this season, and have played more games than all the teams around them. The RCA are two points behind them with four games in hand, and as manager Nick Harrison says; “It might be early in the season, but this is definitely a six pointer.”

Harrison is missing several players because of injury, so he is hoping that midfielder Louis Whensley and strikers James Evison and John Alexander will all be able to return.

RCA’s new boss Martin Swales adds new signing Michael Charlton to his squad, while four other players return to the squad, but Joe Callen, Ross Preston and Joe Hughes all have fitness tests. The two teams met last week in the Vase, with the RCA coming out on top.

At the top, West Auckland are at home to Jarrow Roofing, and manager Anth Smith will choose from a full squad for the first time since he took charge two months ago.

Roofing are without Bruno Pilatos and Bry Johnson, but Corey Barnes and Dan Carson both return.

Second placed Bedlington are at third placed Marske United, and they will be without with Craig Hindmarsh, Keelan Nellis and Daniel Chambers. Marske, who lost to Shildon in midweek, welcome back striker Reece Kelly after injury, but defender Luke Johnson is struggling because of injury.

Peter Dixon is in charge of his second game as Newton Aycliffe manager away to Durham City, and he will be without defender Scott Oldfield and midfielder Tom Hinchley, both because of suspension.

City manager Ian Chandler will probably make changes following their defeat Holker last week, and he could include new signing Impiety Baptiste if internal clearance is received. Midfielder Chris Wallace is suspended, while striker Ryan Noble will have a fitness test.

Bishop Auckland are at Ashington, and are without defender Graham Irving because of injury, while another defender, Lewis Brown is suspended. Ashington have doubts over striker Andrew Johnson and midfielder Kyle Oliver, and they could include a new signing. Striker Dean Critchlow is definitely out.

Dunston, who are in eighth with games in hand include new defender Dave Scorer , signed from Consett in their squad at home to Whitley Bay, while striker Scott Fenwick returns. Whitley are without player-manager Leon Ryan, striker Peter Watling and midfielder Alex Kempster.

Guisborough are at home to Penrith in their tenth home league game of the season, and they add midfielder Chay Liddle to their squad, but striker Anthony Hume and defender Peter Bulmer are both missing.

Fifth bottom Billingham Synthonia, boosted by their midweek Vase win, are at Newcastle Benfield, and manager Lee Tucker has several injury worries with seven players missing. However, he is hoping that striker Michael Sweet, midfielder Shaun Clarke and winger Theo Furness will all return. Benfield, who parted company with manager Neil Saxton in midweek, expect to be at full strength.

North Shields, who are fifth, are at home to third bottom West Allotment, and include new signing Dave Colvin from Team Northumbria in their squad. Centre half John Parker and striker Dean Walker both return. Allotment, who had a good Vase win at Nelson on Wednesday, are without suspended trio Marc Dummett, Michael Bell and Michael Hall, while Liam Hudson is unavailable.

This will be Allotment’s ninth away league game of the season.

Morpeth are at home to Celtic Nation, who are without Mark Boyd , Daniel Moynan and Ian Cumersky, and they could have two new signings.

In the second division, the game of the day is between second placed Hebburn and fourth placed Darlington RA. Hebburn, who are unbeaten in their 13 league games so far, have doubts over Ally Downey and Marc Costello, but Craig Malley returns.

The RA are unbeaten in their last eleven league games, and are without Sam England because of suspension, but Grant Hickman returns at the back. Jordan Hanratty is missing because of an ankle injury.

Third placed Team Northumbria, who are level on points with Hebburn but have a worse goal difference, are at home to second bottom club Esh Winning, who conceded 12 in a Vase tie last week. Esh manager Chris Blakelock has several injury worries.

Norton, the new league leaders, have a tough away game at Ryton and Crawcrook.

Striker Rocky Andrews and midfielder Jack Proctor both return to the side, but midfielder Dale Mulligan is missing because of suspension. Ryton are unbeaten at home in six league games this season.

Fifth placed Seaham Red Star, who have scored 27 goals in their last four matches, are at Stokesley. Seaham are without suspended defender Dave Gordon and injured full back Robbie Hesketh, while midfielder/assistant manager Chris McCabe is unavailable. Stokesley welcome back Greg Peel, Wilf Dinsdale and Ffion Crawley to the squad that won well at Chester-le-Street in midweek.

Heaton Stannington take on Northallerton, and include Jonathan Wright, who makes his return league debut after coming back to the club from Jarrow Roofing. Northallerton are forced into making changes, with five players missing from the midweek draw with Hebburn.

Ryhope CW, in 11th place, are at Whickham and have doubts over midfielder Paul Braithwaite and striker Andy Appleby. Whickham are without John Mordey and Mark Fitzpatrick who are both suspended, while Kris Allen has a hamstring injury. Midfielder Ross Peareth returns to the squad.

Washington will replace suspended keeper Neal Atkinson with Liam Mooney at home to Tow Law, while striker Joe Walton has a fitness test. Striker James Fairley and midfielder Stephen Halliday both return to the squad. Lawyers are without striker Anth Lee, but Gareth Ayers, Lewis Harrison and Jonny Hewitson are all missing.

Third Billingham Town are looking for their first home league win of the season against South Shields, and they are hoping that Stephen Hodgson and Joel Callender will both return, but Harry Taylor and Nick Matthews are both missing. Shields are missing Barrie Smith, James Pickering and Steve Hubery.

Chester-le-Street, who are sixth bottom, are at home to bottom club Brandon, and manager Colin Wake will make changes after they slumped 4-1 to Stokesley in midweek. Brandon have yet to win a league game this season, and are looking for a replacement for Vince Kirkup, who quit as manager this week. They are six points adrift of everybody else.

Willington, who are at Thornaby, welcome back keeper Stephen Robinson, but Jack Patton and Mathew Mounter are both missing.

Birtley have eight players missing, including skipper Paul Oxley, because of injury at home to Alnwick, so manager Tony Boakes is hoping to recruit some new players.