Norton and Sherwin Campbell have parted company without the West Indian Test star facing a single ball for the Teessiders.

Three weeks ago they trumpeted his signature as a major coup and expected to make his debut against Chester-le-Street at Ropery Lane. But he was unable to do so and has also failed to play in two subsequent matches.

"Quite simply, it has not worked out. I was in Majorca last week and spent a good bit of time on the phone trying to sort out the problem" declared chairman Keith Symington.

Norton, bottom of the table and with only two wins in 13 attempts, visit neighbours Stockton this morning showing a number of changes from the side which lost last weekend. The most significant is the inclusion for his debut of 15-year-old Anthony Bowler, who will keep wicket.

Regular stumper Craig Symington will still play and also named are Jonathan Kean, Peter Armstrong and Matthew Brown.

Andrew Tate is unavailable and his brother Chris, alongside Anthony Fawcett and Steve Toth, drop into the second XI.

Last year Stockton were in a similar position, but they are the most improved side this year. They temporarily flirted with the top but even though their form has faltered, they are still a respectable fourth with a good chance of ending the season in an even higher position. Their only change today is the return of Chris Hooker for Tom Armstrong.

Tynemouth are only ten points better off than Norton at the basement ahead of their home fixture with third-bottom Gateshead Fell.

The Seasiders have Karl Spratt back from holiday and Ian Purdy resumes after recovering from an injury. Stephen Scott cannot play and Tony Lion drops down into the second team.

Visitors South Northumberland, whose six-match winning sequence came to an end when they were held to a draw last weekend, are visitors to Tynemouth with captain John Graham unable to name Richard Brook.

James Welsh fills the vacancy and South North hope to include either Neil Killeen or Ian Hunter.

After losing four on the trot - their worst sequence of results since they joined the league four years ago - Sunderland bounced back to form last Saturday but they are again depleted for their match with Gateshead Fell at Ashbrooke. The former Middlesex and Durham County opener Michael Roseberry, who has been unable to play on a regular basis, is again sidelined and another absentee is Stuart Pattison. Gateshead Fell, who celebrated only their second win of the season last Saturday, keep faith in the same XI.

Nicky Phillips will play his first game for Philadelphia and ironically, it will be at Riverside, where he has appeared several times this season in the Durham County side.

He was left out of the team for the game with Yorkshire and is therefore available for his Phili debut which will be welcome news to skipper Lee Beaumont, another spinner.

Chester-le-Street do anticipate fielding a Durham County player in a full strength line-up at Blaydon where they will attempt to close in on second top Durham Academy.

Newcastle host Benwell Hill in the derby. Another county man Danny Law takes over from Keith Brown as Newcastle field their strongest side at any stage of the season.