Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League: Guisborough are keeping their fingers crossed that the four players who were injured at Hartlepool last week will be able to play in today's crunch game against Darlington RA at Brinkburn Road.

"At one stage, we had three substitutes on the field as four players were hurt. Two of them went to hospital for treatment so I have got to be concerned for their availability this afternoon," declared cricket section chairman Dave Norminton.

Captain and professional David Towse suffered a recurrence of the knee problem which caused him to miss out a few weeks ago. It looked like it had fully recovered but he was again bothered at Park Drive.

Vice captain Gary Bolton suffered an injury to his finger while Johnny May and Saul Clifford suffered more serious injuries.

"Johnny was hit on the ball and taken off to hospital as was Saul when he hurt his shoulder. Of the quartet, Saul is my biggest concern," added Norminton, who paid tribute to Bolton.

"Gary went on holiday after last Saturday's match and returned home last night. His commitment to the club is tremendous and nobody could ask for more. If he can play today, he will be there," enthused Norminton.

Guisborough are chasing their third successive title and their destination is now in their own hands after opening up a 12-point lead over Saltburn.

"It would be a great achievement to make it three title wins out of three but it will not be easy starting today at Darlington RA. They always seem to give us a good game and have players who can change the course of a match within a matter of overs," observed Norminton.

Saltburn are second ahead of their home game with Richmondshire and they will be out to erase the memory of last Sunday's MacMillan Cup Final defeat at the hands of Middlesbrough.

Having already won the Kerridge Cup, they were in line to make it a treble but now their aim is the double.

A blow today is the unavailability of free-scoring opener Tony Bell, who is replaced by Abdul Rashid.

But the Seasiders still boast a strong line-up and it is anticipated they will push Guisborough all the way for the title.

Richmondshire will be out to take the scalps of another of the championship contenders after defeating Redcar with ease last week.

Their professional Shanoke Dissanayake has played a leading role in the club's revival and six wickets last week brought about the early dismissal of Redcar.

More of the same from him today could make it a difficult day for Saltburn and present Richmond with the opportunity to consolidate their new found lofty position.

They are minus Ian Dade so Mike Fleming comes.

Redcar are now 26 points adrift of Guisborough going to Hartlepool, where they are stronger with the inclusion of Jason Robinson, Darren Malton and Mick McCabe. Hartlepool, now fourth from the bottom, are pleased that Neil Marsden has recovered from injury to keep wicket and also resuming is Jack Wilkinson. Jarret Rousthorn and Mattie Richardson are the players to make way.

Thornaby need a good result at Bishop Auckland to stave off the threat of relegation. They have managed just a couple of wins less than any other side - and are now 15 points behind Normanby Hall in what is developing into a dog fight at the basement.

Former Gateshead Fell captain Cliff Nichol and Bill Merryweather are sidelined, replaced by Sam Toulson and Chris Metcalfe.

Bishop, in their first season back in the top flight, still have their eyes on finishing third, which would be a commendable achievement for the side.

Middlesbrough, basking in glory after upsetting the formbook defeating Saltburn last Sunday in the MacMillan Cup Final, need points at Marske although recent results have considerably improved their chances of staying up. At one time Acklam Park was bottom, but after three wins the team have now moved up five places.

"Hopefully we can build on last weekend's double. It was a great result for us defeating Thornaby before overturning Saltburn and it looks as if we are now relatively safe from relegation," claimed captain Martin Ball, who has Brett Roberts taking over from David Aninakwah at Marske. The Seasiders too show one alteration with Raf Rashid coming in for Stephen Larkin.

Normanby Hall are too near the bottom for comfort, but their professional Mohammed Zahid is in good form and surprisingly, considering their position, the Hall have won five times with Zahid prominent.

Darlington, who earlier in the season flirted with the leading pack, have won one game less than Normanby Hall but are sixth.

Northallerton are another side struggling in the relegation zone and they face a potentially challenging at home to Blackhall, who have David Brown coming in for the unavailable John Darby.