Bishop Auckland could have a major say in the EBAC Northern League title race today, as the club backs manager Steve Riley.

Bishops take on league leaders North Shields, who are fourteen points clear of their cross river rivals South Shields, and have dropped just eight points on their travels this season.

Bishops manager Steve Riley has been looking to add to his squad this week and could field a new signing, but he will definitely be without defender Scott Martindale and midfielder Andre Bennett are both missing.

Meanwhile, the club have dismissed speculation that he is about to be replaced.

“We are well aware of the rumours circulating in the area and indeed throughout the non-league fraternity in the North East that we are considering a change to our management team and that we have been discussing this with certain potential candidates.

“We can categorically state that we have not at any time contacted anyone with a view to replacing our manager. Like all our supporters we have been disappointed with recent results but we are confident Steve and the team can turn things around and end the season on a high"

Bishops still have South Shields to play away from home on 1st April.

North Shields, meanwhile, are hoping that their top scorer Lee Mason will start after recovering from injury, while Adam Forster, Jack Donnison and Craig McFarlane all return to the squad.

West Auckland can inflict more misery on bottom club Guisborough by beating them at Darlington Road. West are currently fifth bottom, nine points above the drop zone and will have a full squad available, while Guisborough have yet to win in 2017. Lee Bythway and Ben Hugill are both doubtful, while Gary Wood and Danny Lofts should return.

Third placed Shildon, who won at Guisborough in midweek, are at home to Seaham Red Star, and they could be without player manager Danny Moore as well as Billy Greulich-Smith and Matty Robson all because of injury. Seaham will give Kieran Galbraith and Nat Skidmore fitness tests.

Shildon have announced that Moore has just signed a three year deal as manager.

Fourth placed Morpeth, who are at home to West Allotment, have a doubt over midfielder Denver Morris while defender Michael Turner is missing.

Third bottom Allotment have several players missing because this was a free weekend originally, until this game, which was originally arranged for last weekend but then postponed, was re-arranged.

Newton Aycliffe, who are in ninth and with a chance of finishing in the top six, are at Sunderland RCA, and they hope to include a new signing in their squad. Defender Corey Nicholson needs a fitness test and James Marley has returned to Darlington at the end of his loan. The RCA will be without Reece Noble and Brad Wilson for the rest of the season because of injuries, while Jonny Davis, Mark Robinson and Liam McBryde all return. There will be fitness tests for Craig Hodgson and Adam McGuinness.

Chester-le-Street, who hauled themselves off the bottom of the table in midweek, are at home to Consett, and they are missing Aaron Reynolds, Kieran Megran and Jack Honour, while Joe Grant returns. Consett have doubts over several players.

Dunston UTS are at home to Ashington, and manager Chris Swailes will have a full squad to choose from. Ashington have doubts over Jonathan Tiffoney, James Harmison, Ben Christensen, Craig Scott, Shaun Bell and Kyle Downey, but striker Dale Pearson returns to the squad.

Jarrow Roofing go across the moors to Penrith looking to increase their unbeaten run to seven matches, and they have injury doubts over Paul Gardner and Adam Smith.

In the other game, Newcastle Benfield are at home to Washington.

In the second division, the game of the day by far is between second placed Billingham Synthonia and league leaders Team Northumbria, with only three points between them.

Synners recall five players who missed the midweek Ernest Armstrong Cup tie at Northallerton – star striker Macauley Langstaff, Chay Liddle, Guy Craggs, Jack McGurk and Steven Huggins – but they will be missing midfielder Austin Johnston, who has been banned for five matches.

Fourth placed Billingham Town can capitalise on a slip by either Synners or Team North if they can win at Bedlington, but they will be missing midfielder Mark Dixon because of suspension, and Alex Leeds and Matty Crossen are both struggling because of injury.

Town striker Craig Hutchinson hit the 50 goal mark for the season last week when he scored a hat trick against Thornaby.

At the bottom of the table, Esh Winning need a good result at Easington, and they will include new signings Matty Soulsby from Tow Law and Ethan Stephenson in their squad, but they will be missing Kai Hewitson and Mark Fish. Esh are four points below Ryton, who aren’t in action today.

Third bottom Darlington RA, who have won twice in their last three games, are hoping to continue their improvement away to Durham City, and they add Glenn Donaldson to their squad.

Willington, who are fifth bottom, go to Hebburn, and they include new signings Peter Brown and Decklin Moss in their squad, but another new signing, Ryan Cummings, is injured. Lewis Milner and Graham Stephenson both return to the squad.

Hebburn welcome back eight players who missed last week’s 7-0 defeat at Whickham, while winger Adam Rundle also returns. Forward Glen Hargrave is out through suspension.

Brandon are at fifth placed Heaton Stannington, and have an injury doubt over Steven Turnbull, but Michael Searby is unavailable. Ben Clarey returns to the squad.

In the other games, Northallerton, who had a good win in midweek in the Ernest Armstrong Cup, are at Alnwick, while Blyth Town are at home to Whickham.