West Auckland manager Steve Skinner has told his players that he wants three wins out of the next six games in order to avoid relegation.

West go into today’s away game at Dunston looking for three points that will help them towards their target of 40 points, which they’re hoping should be enough to avoid relegation.

“This is a massive, massive game for us because the ight against relegation isn’t over yet by any means,” said Skinner.

“I’ve looked at the fixtures of the teams around us, and we’re all playing each other. We’ve got games against Dunston, Washington, Guisborough, Chester-le-Street and Jarrow Roofing in the next few weeks, and I want win three wins from those games. We’ve come a long way in the last few weeks, and I want the team to keep improving.”

Striker Kerry Hedley is missing because of suspension, otherwise Skinner will choose from a full squad.

Dunston, who have lost eleven times at home in the league this season, will give fitness tests to Danny Capewell and Michael Pearson.

Shildon are at Ryhope CW, and manager Danny Moore could include a new signing in the squad, but midfielder Anthony Bell will probably be missing because of injury. Ryhope, who have scored four in each of their last two home games, are without Kyle Davis, who scored twice last week, plus Steven Francis, Simon Ord and Nathan O’Neill, but Dave Gordon, Josh Home-Jackson and Lee Chapman all return.

Bishop Auckland, who are sixth, are at home to Newcastle Benfield, and they are without midfielders Andre Bennett and Priestley Griffiths because of suspension, while manager Steve Riley is hoping that defender Dan Madden, midfielder Ryu Williamson and forward Ryan Noble will return after injury. Benfield are without first choice keeper Andrew Grainger because of suspension.

There will be a minute’s silence before the game in memory of former Bishops player Mally Newton, who passed away earlier this week.

Newton Aycliffe are at Consett, and they include new midfielder Matty Lovegreen, who has been signed for the rest of the season from Darlington. Keeper James Winter has a hernia problem, and defender Corey Nicholson who is doubtful with an ankle injury.

Seventh placed Consett have signed former Sunderland youngster Thomas McAloon, while Lewis Teasdale and Dan Hawkins both return. However, Lewis Gibbons, Jordan Nellis and Jake Stafford are both missing.

Guisborough, who are third bottom, can’t afford to drop points at home to Ashington, and manager Gary Forster might have to bring in some new players, as Lee Bythway, Jordan Goldsack, Gary Wood, Connor Smith and Liam McPhillips will all have fitness tests, while striker David Onions is missing because of suspension.

Wayne Buchanan and Shaun Bell are both missing for Ashington, but Paul Anthony and Craig Scott should return to the squad and Ben Richardson will have a fitness test.

Marske United will include defender Liam O’Sullivan in their squad following his return to the club from Billingham Synthonia, when they travel to Washington, who include new signings Joachim Mouanda, Jake Pickard and Rhys Evans.

Sunderland RCA are at fourth placed Morpeth, and they will be missing five players, with Colin Larkin, Ross Preston, Clayton Davies, Liam McBryde and James Armstrong all out, while Greg Swansbury, Adam McGuinness and Neil Bussey will all have fitness tests. Morpeth will be missing defender Chris Reid because of injury.

Second placed South Shields can reduce the gap on leaders North Shields to eight points if they beat bottom club Chester-le-Street, and they hope that striker Gavin Cogdon will return, but they are missing Barrie Smith, Leepaul Scroggins and Julian Petrache.

Chester, who have picked up ten of their fifteen points away from home, are without Mark Peck, Daniel McGuire, Lee Mole and Kieran Megran, but three players are returning – Dave Latham, Aaron Reynolds and Jack Honour.

Seaham Red Star are at home to Jarrow Roofing, who are fourth bottom. Roofing welcome back defender Arjun Purewal, but another defender, former Seaham player Darryl Donnelly, is missing because of suspension.

West Allotment, who are second bottom eight points from safety, need to beat Penrith and they will be missing four players for various reasons.

In the second division, third Billingham Synthonia are at second bottom Darlington RA, and they will be missing defender Matthew Robinson, who has a foot injury. The RA, who have only won three times in the league at home this season, are at full strength.

Billingham Town, who are fifth, are at home to Easington, and they will be missing striker Chris Dickinson.

Durham City, who are fourth, have a tricky away game at Heaton Stannington, and will be missing top scorer Bradley Hird because of injury, as well as Kieran McWaters, Jack Wilkie and Matty Smith, so manager Olly Hotchkiss could bring in two new signings.

Brandon are at league leaders Team Northumbria, and they expect to be at full strength.

Fourth bottom Crook are at Alnwick, and include new signings Gary Thompson and Dan Johnson in their squad as they look to increase the two point gap on the bottom two.

Tow Law are at Whickham, and they will be missing Ben Collinson because of an ankle injury, otherwise they’re at full strength.

Northallerton will be aiming to bounce back from their 7-1 thumping at Billingham Synthonia when they go to third bottom Ryton and Crawcrook.

Hebburn are at Bedlington, and they add Alan Pegram and Glen Hargrave to their squad after recovery from injury.

Spennymoor have a free day in the EvoStik League, while league leaders Blyth Spartans are at home to Hednesford, and Whitby are at Marine.

The draw for the semi finals of the Durham Challenge Cup is: Newton Aycliffe v Billingham Synthonia, Consett v South Shields.