Northern League Shildon will be missing several first choice defenders when they go to top of the table North Shields today.

The Railwaymen have won their last four league matches to put them eighth in the table, ten points behind today’s opponents with four games in hand, but they will be missing defenders Bobby Moore, Carl Jones and Darren Richardson for various reasons, as well as midfielders Sam Hodgson and Adam Rundle, and striker Micky Rae.

“With all the injuries we have and such a disruption to the back four, sat will be a very difficult ask and in theory North Shields’ best chance of taking three points off us. We will need the players that come into the side to stand up and be counted,” said manager Gary Forrest.

Shields, who have a last 16 Vase tie to also look forward to, will give winger Denver Morris a late fitness test, while full back Stuart Donnison returns after suspension. Another defender, Marc Lancaster, is out injured.

West Auckland manager Steve Skinner faces Celtic Nation, the club where he was once chairman, manager and player. Skinner has appointed Graham Antony as his new coach, as West look to put their season back on track. He only has a small squad to choose from, and will give defender Adam Wilkinson a late fitness test.

The Nation, who are third bottom, welcome Simon Tucker back after a one match suspension.

Marske United, who are in fourth, are at home to Newton Aycliffe, and they are missing injured striker Sam Garvie, but striker Danny Brunskill, winger Josh MacDonald and defender Josh Myers all come into the squad. Aycliffe will be without defender Andrew Green and striker Stuart Banks, both because of suspension, The two sides met in the league cup in midweek, Aycliffe beating the holders 4-1.

Third placed Guisborough, unbeaten in their last nine league matches, are at Jarrow Roofing, and will be without midfielder Luke Bythway, but striker Damien Stevens is definitely out because of injury. Roofing, who are fifth, are without midfielder Shaun Vipond because of injury, but defender Alan Greenan returns.

Dunston UTS, who are in sixth place, go to Bedlington and will be at full strength except for unavailable midfielder Dale Burrell. Bedlington could be without their keeper Sean McCafferty, who could go to Whitley Bay. Stephen Little and Paul Dunn could both return after suspension.

Dunston will probably send someone to watch their next Vase opponents, either Worksop or Glossop, in action today in their delayed tie.

Durham City are at Newcastle Benfield and they will be missing defender Chris Wallace because of suspension, while Nathan Lawrence is doubtful. Benfield manager Steve Bowey is still out because of injury, while striker Steven Baptist and defender Andy Leeson both return.

Sunderland RCA, who are second bottom, are at home to Whitley Bay and will give a debut to former Gateshead striker Colin Larkin who scored a hat trick in a friendly last week. Keeper Josh Carmichael and outfield players Ross Preston and Lewis wood both return, but Clayton Davies is suspended. Whitley, who are looking for their first win under new manager Paddy Atkinson, include four new signings – keeper Sean McCafferty from Bedlington, defender Dylan Morse from Gateshead, midfielder Chris Williamson from Gateshead and full back Phil Cave, once of Gateshead.

Billingham Synthonia can move further away from relegation trouble if they beat Ashington at Central Avenue, and manager Conrad Hillerby will probably have a full squad. Synners are currently fourth bottom of the table, a single point above third bottom Celtic Nation.

Ashington will give a debut to defender Wayne Buchanan, signed from Morpeth.

Bishop Auckland, who had a good away win last week, are at home to fifth bottom West Allotment, and are without keeper Scott Pocklington and midfielder Sean Tarling because of suspension. Allotment, who are six points above the drop zone, welcome back Ryan Beal, but player-manager Paul Stoneman and Chris Douglass are both injured, and Mark Dummett is suspended.

Bottom club Crook Town, who are well adrift of the others, are at home to Morpeth and include new keeper Colin White from South Shields, while striker Adam Emson, defender Craig Winter and midfielder Louis Whensley all return.

Morpeth, who have a full squad, go away to Portugal tomorrow for a mid season break in which they’ll play three friendlies.

Many games are doubtful because of this week’s icy weather, but one game that should go ahead is on the 4G surface at Belle View, where Consett host Penrith. Defender Matty Slocombe returns after a four match ban, but keeper Chris Elliott and defenders Ryan Bell, Carl Piecha and David Brown are all missing.

In the second division, leaders Seaham Red Star, who are five points clear, are at Chester-le-Street, and hope to be close to full strength, except for injured striker Sonny Andrews. Chester are without Scott Heslop and Jake Stafford because of long term injuries, but Craig Marron, Michael Hepplewhite and Robbie Draper all return.

The big game in the division is between second placed Norton and fourth placed Team Northumbria. Manager Andy Campbell will give a fitness test to midfielder Karl Charlton, while midfielder Michael Joseph and defender Lee Farrington are also both struggling. Team North are missing Mark O’Dea because of suspension.

Norton are unbeaten in their last twelve matches and are seven points ahead of Team North with three games in hand.

Third placed Washington are at home to Billingham Town, and they welcome back first choice keeper Neal Atkinson into their squad. Town include new signing from Stokesley, Ben Bonner, while they will give fitness tests to Stephen Jackson, Callum Brown and Alan Taylor.

The biggest threat to the top three might come from fifth placed Hebburn, who are at Whickham, where manager Scott Oliver will choose from a full squad. Hebburn are seven points behind the top three.

Darlington RA are at Birtley, and they will be missing injured trio Jim Wilson, Karl Hewitt and Jordan Hanratty, while Alex Growcott and Nathan Dicchio are unavailable. Birtley are without keeper Mark Fish, captain Paul Oxley and top scorer Kai Hewitson.

Thornaby head northwards to Alnwick, and they will be without suspended brothers Kieran and Curtis Edwards.

Second bottom Tow Law need to win at Northallerton in order to try and narrow the eight point gap on the teams above them, and manager Steve Murray might make changes following their defeat at Esh Winning last week. Jonny Hewitson is definitely missing because of suspension. Lawyers haven’t won in the league since September.

Northallerton are missing Jamie Bowman and Martin Butterworth who are both injured.

Third bottom Esh Winning, who have four of their last six matches, go to Stokesley, and will climb above them if they win. Manager Chris Blakelock could field an unchanged team.

Stokesley are with out Greg Peel, Dave Edwards and Wilf Dinsdale, while Joe Carter and Scott Matthewman are both doubtful.

Willington, who have won their last four matches to go into tenth, are at Ryton and Crawcrook, and they could be without injured pair Danny Lee and Aidan Goodey.

Ryhope CW, who haven’t won in seven matches, are at home to Heaton Stannington, and they will probably give a debut to new keeper Johnny Ball, who replaces Gareth Young. Midfielder Richard Hodgson will probably return from a calf injury.

The Stann welcome back striker Lee Johnson after a four match ban, while Ryan Bailey and Rob Pearson both return. Gary Dixon and Lewis Burns are both doubtful.

In the EvoStik League, Blyth are at home to Curzon Ashton, and Whitby are at home to Buxton.