Sir Bob Murray to attend Shildon game

Shildon have a strong link with the Foundation of Light, Sunderland’s charity arm, and Murray, who is chairman of the trustees, has accepted an invitation to attend the game, which Shildon are hoping to win and keep the pressure on leaders Guisborough.

If third placed Shildon win all their games, they will win the league, but manager Gary Forrest has several injury problems to contend with.

Striker Micky Rae, midfielder Chris Emms, and defender Darren Richardson are all out for the season, while striker Paul Connor will have a fitness test. Striker Ben Wood, defender Darren Craddock and winger Adam Rundle all return.

Leaders Guisborough are at home to Newton Aycliffe, and they welcome back midfielder Chay Liddle and Tom Mitchinson, but another midfielder, Adam Gell, is missing. Aycliffe, who are sixth bottom but have played more games than the teams below them, are missing Martin Young and Stuart Banks, while defender Andrew Green and striker Ashley Coffey will both have fitness tests.

Second placed West Auckland, who are now four points off the pace after picking up only one point from the last six, are at home to Newcastle Benfield. They include new signing Tyler Bowman, signed from Celtic Nation, but they are missing Neil Pattinson, Darryl Hall and Jonny Gibson, so some of the club’s youngsters are included in the squad. Benfield include new signing from Crook, Chris Hardy, in their squad, but they are missing defender Carl Paterson, while player-manger Steve Bowey and Chris Youlden will have fitness tests.

Marske United, who are fourth, are at home to Sunderland RCA, and manager Carl Jarrett will choose from a full squad. The RCA climbed out of the bottom three in midweek, and they will give fitness tests to Lee Bythway and Clayton Davies, while player-coach Colin Larkin is missing because of injury. However, Kieran Megran and Tony Coe both return.

Dunston UTS need to beat Billingham Synthonia to stay in the title hunt and they welcome full back Stephen Harrison after he missed the midweek game.

Synners who only have four games remaining, are missing Steve Huggins, Chris Dodds, Andrew Burton and Dan Dillon for various reasons.

Bishop Auckland are at home to relegated Crook Town, and they will be missing their top scorer Johnny Butler because of suspension, while midfielder Sean Tarling is injured. Elliott Woods and Matteo Faiola will both have fitness tests.

Crook manager Peter Mulcaster could field the same team that lost at Guisborough in midweek.

Consett, who have won their last four matches, host Bedlington at Belle View. Keeper Chris Elliott has left the club in order to play in Sweden, while defender Matthew Slocombe and Michael Pearson are suspended. Bedlington will probably make one change to the team that drew with West Auckland last week, with Callum Donohoe replacing Marc Walmsley.

Durham City are at Morpeth, and they will be without youngster Aidan Haley, who has a broken foot. Morpeth, who are in ninth place, will be without midfielder Shaun Bell.

Troubled Celtic Nation, who are second bottom, are at Ashington and they welcome back Matthew Read after suspension, while Dean Douglas is struggling with a knee injury.

Ashington have signed striker Dylan Armstrong, who has just been released by Hartlepool, while there could be more new signings before the game. James Loughborough, Joe Moscrop and Lance McGlen will all have fitness tests but Jonathan Giles, Michael King, James Taylor and John Priestner are all ruled out.

In the second division, leaders Seaham Red Star are at Tow Law, and will be promoted with five games left if they win. Manager Mark Collingwood will welcome back midfielder Lee Kerr after suspension. Shaun Ryder returns after suspension for Tow Law.

Washington and Team Northumbria are both without a game, so Norton, who lost their unbeaten home record in midweek, can take go second by winning at Northallerton. Striker John Seaton and defender Lee Farrington both return after suspension, but forward Nicky Martin and midfielder Mitch Morris are both injured. Northallerton will be unchanged from the team that won at Brandon in midweek.

Hebburn, who had a good win at Norton in midweek, can also narrow the gap on the top four if they win at Whickham, and they welcome back striker Shaun Reay and defender Andy McIntosh.

In the relegation fight, Brandon are at Billingham Town, and if they lose, will finish in a bottom two relegation place. Billingham welcome Michael Dalton, Ian Bishop and Alan Taylor to their squad.

All might not be lost for Brandon in terms of relegation, if Celtic Nation resign from the league and no team comes up from the Northern Alliance.

Ryhope CW, who are at Thornaby, are without Paul Braithwaite who is playing for his college in a national competition, while Chris Trewick is out because of an ankle injury.

Chester-le-Street, who are at home to Darlington RA, welcome back Jack Honour and Rob Draper, but out injured are Stephen Telford, Scott Heslop, Aaron Reynolds and Jake Stafford. The RA welcome back keeper Phil Pentony, but striker Fred Huscroft and midfielder David Harrison are both missing.

Birtley are at Ryton and Crawcrook, and manager Tony Boakes will choose from almost a full squad for the first time in several weeks, although Robert Smith and Paul Oxley are both doubtful.

In the other game, South Shields are at home to Alnwick.

In the EvoStik League, Blyth make the marathon journey to Kings Lynn, while Whitby are at home to Barwell.