Shildon manager Gary Forrest says that there will be a “terrific game” when the Railwaymen take on Newton Aycliffe in their local derby this afternoon.

Shildon are second in the table with Aycliffe back in seventh with games in hand on everyone above them.

Forrest, whose team are the highest scorers in the division, said; “We have had five consecutive training sessions in which the energy and quality was superb.

“Aycliffe are serious title contenders having invested heavily in the strike partnership of Matty Moffat and John Campbell as well as signing most of the west Auckland team that has been regularly in the top six. I think the supporters are in for a terrific game.”

Midfielder Kyle Fryatt plus strikers Billy Greulich-Smith and Michael Rae are all injured, while midfielder Marc Ellison is suspended.

Aycliffe manager Peter Dixon rested some of his players for the midweek league cup game at Penrith, and they will be at full strength. Aycliffe have only lost twice on the road this season.

League leaders Morpeth are at fourth placed Guisborough, and they will be at full strength except for injured midfielder Jordan Fry. Guisborough, who were knocked out of the Vase in midweek, could make changes.

North Shields, who successfully started their defence of the Vase in midweek, are at home to Marske United, and they will give a debut to midfielder Brad Brooking. Striker Gareth Bainbridge will have a fitness test, so Peter Glen-Ravenhill is added to the squad. Defenders Adam Forster and John Grey are both out injured.

Champions Marske, who have won their last six matches, will be at full strength although midfielder Austin Johnston will have a fitness test.

Dunston UTS, who are in third place are at home to Norton, and they have a full squad now that defender Adam Wilkinson and Gary Shaw return after missing last week’s Vase win.

Norton include striker Thibault Charmey who has returned following a brief spell at Whitby, while manager Deano Browne could include a new signing. Ryan Braithwaite is definitely out because of injury.

Dunston won the reverse fixture 5-0 earlier in the season, and have conceded just six goals at home in the league this season.

West Auckland, boosted by their win over Norton last week, are at home to Sunderland RCA, and welcome back striker John Seaton after suspension. However, they will be without midfielder Chris Renshaw because of suspension, as well as striker Shaun Hudson and midfielder Bryan Stewart because of injury. West are four points adrift of safety, The RCA, who are unbeaten in their last 16 league and cup matches, welcome back on loan keeper James Talbot, as well as midfielders Jack Pounder and Glen Lane, but James Armstrong and Clayton Davies are both out.

Bishop Auckland play their second home game within four days when they face Newcastle Benfield. Defender Thomas Bott and midfielder Sean Tarling both return, but they are missing midfielders Stuart Thompson, Adam Nicholls and Ursene Mouanda as well as striker Fred Woodhouse.

Benfield, who are level with Bishops on points will probably keep the same team that won at Seaham Red Star in midweek, which means that both joint managers, Paul Brayson and Mark Convery, will play a part at some point.

Eighth placed Washington are at home to Whitley Bay, and they will have a full squad now that midfielder Conor Okus is back.

Whitley, who are fourth from bottom but are well behind in their games, are without defender Chris Reid, but midfielder Phil Lumsden returns.

Consett go to Jarrow Roofing trying to bounce back from their midweek Vase defeat by South Shields. They welcome back Jake Fowler and Joe Grant into their squad after being cup tied in midweek.

Roofing are missing midfielder Shaun Vipond because of suspension, and striker Kerry Hedley because of injury.

Durham City take on Bedlington at Belle View in Consett, with new manager Chris Moore in charge for the first time. City are hoping to bring in some new players before the game.

In the other games, Seaham Red Star host Ashington, and West Allotment are at home to Penrith.

In the second division, leaders South Shields, who are on a magnificent run of 18 straight wins in all competitions and in midweek beat Consett from a division above them in the Vase, are at home to Crook Town. Their only absentee is striker Lewis Teasdale because of suspension, while there is an injury doubt over midfielder Julio Arca.

Crook include midfielders Owen Lancaster and Matthew Soulsby, both signed from Birtley, as well as Jonny Wright and Lewis Turnbull. However Josh Bynoe, Jonny Kemp and Alex Wilson will all be missing.

Ryhope CW, who are third, are without two forwards for their home game with Hebburn. Josh Home-Jackson is out because of suspension, while Damien Stevens has broken a bone in his foot. Keeper Jonny Ball has a dislocated finger and defender Elliott Woods has a calf injury. Ryhope have only dropped five points at home all season.

Hebburn, who are 15th, will be at full strength except for defender Ian Bickerstaffe.

The game of the day in the division is between fifth placed Billingham Synthonia and second placed Chester-le-Street.

Synners include new signings Chris Dickinson from Billingham Town and Chris Salmon from York City, while Chris Lawther and Steven Roberts return to the squad. Midfielder Mattie Osmond and defender Jamie Barton are both missing.

Chester, who have won their last four league games, are without striker Ben Johnson, who scored in midweek, and Joe Clayton.

There’s another big game between Easington, in sixth place and Darlington RA in fourth.

Easington, who are unbeaten in their last five league games, are hoping that forward Luke Page passes a late fitness test, but midfielder Liam Hodgson is still out because of injury. The RA, who haven’t lost in five league games, will be without striker Joe Peel because of suspension.

Second bottom Esh Winning are hoping to continue their revival at Heaton Stannington, and they include new striker Kris Goss, signed from West Auckland, in their squad. They have also brought in Chris Locke from Hebburn and Logan Powell from Sunderland RCA. Nathan Graham and Jack Taylor will also return to the squad.

Heaton, who are in 13th place, will give Adam Rowntree a fitness test, while Brian Dodsworth and Adrian Watson both return. Richie Hoggins is out because of a knee injury.

Willington could do with a win against bottom club Stokesley, and they will be without striker Connor Lowes because of suspension, but keeper Chris Sawyer and defender Stephen Howe both return.

Northallerton are at home to Brandon, and they include new striker Elliott McGlade, signed from Stokesley, while Brandon will be at full strength and include a new signing, Tom Lazenby from Willington.

In the other games, Birtley are at home to Tow Law, and Whickham face Team Northumbria.