League leaders West Auckland can finish off a good week if they beat Bedlington at the Seagrave Stadium on Saturday.

West go into the game with a three point lead after beating Morpeth on Tuesday, and in the same midweek, Bedlington dropped to third after losing to Jarrow Roofing and Dunston UTS dropped points at West Allotment.

West boss Anth Smith, who chooses from a full squad, said; “They’ve had a great start to the season and credit goes to them for that. As to ourselves, in the past two games the team performance has been much better, there’s been collective effort and some very attractive football. We’ll look to keep progressing and growing as a team so we look forward to what promises to be a decent game.”

Bedlington are hit by several absences. James Harmison and Sam Walton are both suspended, keeper Sean McCafferty is unavailable and Scott Blandford is doubtful, but manager Ian Skinner is hoping to make a new signing.

Bishop Auckland, who are sixth, go to Jarrow Roofing, hoping for a repeat of their FA Cup win from earlier in the season. Manager David Bayles will choose from a full squad which includes midfielder Sean Tarling, who has completed a suspension.

Roofing had an excellent win at Bedlington in midweek, but they have doubts over keeper Andy Hunter plus Paul Gardiner and Bry Johnson, while defender Corey Barnes returns. Roofing striker John Campbell has scored 13 goals in Roofing’s last eight matches.

Consett are at home to bottom club Crook, and manager Kenny Lindoe expects to choose from a full strength squad, except for injured defender David Brown.

Crook, who have picked up only one point in nine league games, are without Kieran Weekes who is suspended, plus injured pair James Evison and David Webster, but manager Nick Harrison will give a debut to left winger Graham Whitehead, while defenders Chris Renshaw and David Mitchell, plus midfielder Adrian Webster will all return.

Marske United, who are second, are at home to Billingham Synthonia, and they will be at full strength except for injured midfielder Craig Gott. Striker Danny Brunskill plays his second game after signing from Bishop Auckland. Synners welcome midfielder Shaun Clarke and defender Steve Huggins back into the squad, but Nathan Jameson, Matthew Bell and Dan Dillon are all missing.

Third bottom Newton Aycliffe, who drew at fellow strugglers Sunderland RCA in midweek, are at Morpeth, and they include their former striker Warren Byrne, who helped them win the second division title. Byrne has left West Auckland. Manager Peter Dixon has also signed full back Aaron Brown, who was with him at West Auckland last season.

North Shields, who are in fourth, have a home game against Celtic Nation, but they are without their top scorer Gareth Bainbridge because of injury as well as Kevin Hughes and defender Stuart Donnison. Midfielders Adam Forster and Ryan Carr are added to the squad. The Nation have been hit by a flu virus, with seven players struggling, plus new signing Matthew Read has a fractured cheekbone.

Seventh placed Guisborough, who lost in midweek, are at home to Whitley Bay and include new signing Josh Rowbottom from Hartlepool, while midfielder Chay Liddle returns to the squad. However, defender Peter Bulmer is missing.

Dunston UTS manager Billy Irwin will give several players fitness tests before their home game with Durham City, but he will probably include Gregg MacDermott, son of Newcastle legend Terry. Defender David Coulson is missing because of suspension. Durham have doubts over strikers Ryan Noble and Callum Hope, but defender Chris Wallace returns after suspension.

Second bottom Sunderland RCA are at home to Newcastle Benfield, and manager Marty Swales includes new striker Dan Smart, signed from North Shields, in his squad, while Craig Price, Jack Stanger , Gavin Barton and Tony Coe all return. However, Ross Preston, Joe Hughes and Gary Wood will all have fitness tests. Benfield welcome back defender Steve Tobin after illness and midfielder Mark Convery after holiday, but striker Michael Riley is unavailable.

Ashington are at home to Penrith, and they will be without striker Marc Walton because of injury, while defender Richard Flynn will have a fitness test. Ashington have lost five times at home in the league this season.

In the second division, Darlington RA’s 13 game unbeaten run in the league will be tested at leaders Team Northumbria. They include new full back Andrew Green, signed from West Auckland, but Jordan Hanratty and Jamie Smith are both still missing. The RA dropped down to fourth in the table in midweek.

Norton, who were knocked off the top in midweek, are at South Shields, and they welcome back their top scorer Rocky Andrews and defender Danny O’Brien, but they will be missing midfielder Jack Proctor. Shields welcome five players back to the squad, but they are without first choice keeper Steve Hubery because of a broken toe. James Pickering and Dan Hall are also both missing.

Hebburn, who are in fifth place, are at Thornaby and they are missing defenders Ally Downey and Ross Toward as well as midfielder Marc Costello because of suspension. Thornaby, who are unbeaten at home in the league welcome back their veteran striker Jamie Clarke, who has scored eight goals for them this season. Stephen Morrison is unavailable.

Ryhope CW, who are at Birtley, have problems over their goalkeeper as Chris Rookes and Barry Poskett are both struggling, as well as centre back Darryl Evans. Midfielders Craig Hughes, Joe Pounder and Nathan O’Neill are all unavailable. Birtley hope to give a debut to former Consett midfielder Mark Patterson, while Lee Best, Alan Herbert and Paul Oxley will all have fitness tests.

Washington are at home to bottom club Esh Winning, and they will give fitness tests to Dan Iredale, Joe Walton, Paul Wardle and Greg Swansbury, but striker Chris Winn, with twelve goals this season, returns to the squad. Esh include two new signings, Connor Dodds and Daniel Bradley, while Ritchie Addison, Karl Turner and Allen Robson all return. Esh haven’t won in eleven matches.

Willington are at Chester-le-Street and are without striker Adam Burnicle who scored twice in midweek, as well as Jason White, Jonathan Staff, Jack Patton and Michael Gibson. Stephen Howe will also have a fitness test. They also include Chris Sawyer, who recently returned to the club from Brandon. Chester are without Craig Marron, Jake Stafford, Adam Knowles and Jordan Fraser for various reasons.

Northallerton, of whom Danny Mellanby is in temporary charge following last week’s resignation of Peter Mulcaster, are at home to Seaham Red Star, and he will probably choose from a full squad. Seaham, who are in third place, will be missing defender Carl Thorp and striker Adam Johnston.

Heaton Stannington are at home to bottom club Brandon, and they welcome back Mike Creswick after suspension, but William James is injured.

In the bottom five, Billingham Town face Tow Law at Bedford Terrace, and manager Darren Trotter will be missing Gary Redman who is suspended, and Daniel Ballantyne, Lee Armes and Joel Callender because of injury. Lawyers are without defenders Shaun Ryder and Gareth Ayers, but forward Anth Lee returns from injury.

Third bottom Stokesley are at home to Alnwick, and they will be without Ben Bonner and Alex Dougal, while youngster Ste Roberts is playing for the County, and Matty Crossen is playing for an England team made up of players who have suffered strokes.

Whickham are at Ryton and Crawcrook for a local derby.