West Auckland have a chance to climb out of the bottom three if they beat Newcastle Benfield at Darlington Road today.

West are currently second bottom of the table, but are just one point below joint third bottom Whitley Bay and Bedlington, and just three points behind fifth bottom West Allotment. Benfield are currently eighth from bottom.

West manager Andy Campbell said; “This is a must win game for us, because Benfield are one of the teams who we’re trying to overtake.” John Brackstone, Jack Proctor, Mark Hudson, Tommy Marron, Ian Maddison and Chris Renshaw have all got knocks, but strikers Scott Oldfield and Adam Burnicle both return.

Benfield have players with slight niggles, but they will include Paul Brayson, the top scorer in the division with 21 goals.

Shildon manager Gary Forrest wants his players to bounce back from their midweek Durham Challenge Cup exit against Washington when they play the same opponents in the league at Dean Street.

Shildon were far from their best on Tuesday night, and Forrest said; “WE never turned up on Tuesday and got outmuscled and dominated all over the pitch. I think we will learn a lot about our players in this game.”

Keeper Kyle Hayes, defender Dan Groves and striker Paul Connor will all return to the squad.

Washington will have the same squad on duty as they did on Tuesday, plus Chris Wallace and Paul Wardle who were both cuptied.

Bishop Auckland are at home to fourth bottom Whitley Bay, and defender Arjun Purewal will have a fitness test for them, but midfielder Sean Tarling is definitely out because of injury. Whitley, who have played less than half their league matches, welcome back Michael Williamson and Phil Lumsden. Whitley have lost six times in the league on the road this season.

Guisborough, who are second on goal difference ahead of Morpeth, are at West Allotment, and manager Steve Dowling chooses from a full squad. Guisborough have won six of their eleven away games this season.

Marske United are hoping to play their first home game since October against Seaham Red Star, and want to bounce back from their Vase exit at Newton Aycliffe last week. They have suffered a blow because skipper and midfielder Craig Gott has gone to Spennymoor Town. Seaham have signed striker David Paul from Easington.

Durham City are looking for their first win since the middle of October against Ashington at Belle View, and they include new signing Adam Storey in their squad, but Michael King is unavailable. Josh Gray and Matty Grieve, who both missed Ashington’s midweek game, return to the squad.

Jarrow Roofing, who are sixth bottom, are at home to Penrith, and they recall striker Paul Chow, who has been struggling with sickness recently, but Anth Myers is out because of injury.

In the second division, leaders South Shields are at fourth placed Billingham Synthonia, and add defender Ibby Hassan, midfielder Danny Carson and defender John Grey to their squad. They have also put striker Andy Bulford on the transfer list.

Synners, who are fourth in the table, will be at full strength.

Shields have lost only once away this season, while Synners have only conceded six goals at home.

Second placed Ryhope CW, who beat leaders South Shields last week, are at home to third placed Chester-le-Street. Ryhope include defender Thomas Bott, who was signed last week from Bishop Auckland.

Chester have several players missing – Jack Honour, Ben Johnson, Aaron Reynolds and Aidan Aimes.

Darlington RA, who are seventh, are at home to Billingham Town, and manager Warren Moncur will have a squad of 20 players to choose from, even though Liam Browne and Stephen Cheeseman are both missing. Town are looking for their third successive win, and will be unchanged.

Crook manager Tony Boakes takes his team back to his previous club Birtley, who are third bottom for their first league game since November 14th, and he will be giving several players their long-awaited debuts. Birtley haven’t won in their last ten league games.

Tow Law are at Heaton Stannington, and include new signings Kenny Ball and Andrew Reynoldson in their squad. Heaton are without injured midfielder Richie Hoggins, while they include new signing Michael Thompson.

Northallerton can keep the pressure on the leaders by beating second bottom Esh Winning. The visitors who won at Stokesley last week, add Kris Goss and Liam Clarke to their squad. Esh are currently a point behind third bottom Birtley.

Brandon are at bottom club Stokesley, and they hope to include two new signings ahead of the game. Jack Wilson, Kyle Wren and Reece Marshall are all struggling with injuries, while Richard O’Brien takes over in goal. Stokesley could have some new signings in their side.

Hebburn take on fifth placed Team Northumbria and are without Chris Smith and James Talbot. TN haven’t lost an away league game since early October, but they’ve lost twice away in cup competitions.

Easington go to Alnwick, and they could choose the same team that beat Spennymoor 5-0 in midweek.

Thornaby need to win at Whickham to keep in touch with the promotion race, and they include brothers Rocky and Sonny Andrews in their team. Sonny has just signed for the club from Billingham Synthonia. Striker Nathan Steel is unavailable.