Foster's ECB North-East Regional Premier League: Norton captain Kenny Gresham is hoping it will be third time lucky in more ways than one today.

Not only will he be hoping to steer his side to their third win of the season but he will be also be keeping his fingers crossed that West Indian Test star Sherwin Campbell finally makes his long-awaited debut

After trumpeting Campbell's signature a couple of weeks ago the former Test star failed to appear against either Chester-le-Street or Sunderland.

Even so the Teessiders upset the form book by comprehensively defeating the Wearsiders and today have the chance to continue their good form against third-from-bottom Gateshead Fell, who have only won once this season.

Campbell is again included in the line-up, but his appearance will depend on his commitments with Lashings. The Symington brothers, Craig and Marc, will definitely play as will Stephen Toth.

Gateshead Fell, who are also too near the relegation zone for comfort, are unchanged as Graeme Sessford and Ian Pattison are still injured. South Northumberland will be out to make it seven wins on the trot when they meet second-placed Durham Academy in the match of the day.

With just 16 points separating the pair the outcome is vital to the championship hopes of both teams.

"We are really on a run and I doubt whether any side in the three-and-a-half year history of the league will have put together six successive wins," said South North captain, John Graham, who has Howard Sidney-Wilmott taking over from Michael Smalley.

"I go out and try and win every match and will adopt the same philosophy this time out."

Geoff Cook has put together a talented Academy squad this season with Kyle Coetzer a real find.

He has been a prolific scorer during his first year in the league and South North will have to claim his wicket quickly if they are to maintain their momentum.

Stockton are third but 42 points adrift of South North. They go to Chester-le-Street showing three changes with Chris Hooker, Rob Atkins and Chris Mann all unavailable. Michael Wood, Stephen Ward and Duane Atkinson line up.

Sunderland, who made their lowest score since they joined the league, have a doubt surrounding the availability of the former Middlesex and Durham County opener Michael Roseberry, whose appearance have been limited since he signed on before the start of the season.

It is likely that Adam Applegarth, who was the league's top wicket-taker with 102 victims in the first three seasons, will again be ruled out through injury. But there is some good news for captain Simon Old ahead of the visit to Tynemouth in that Alan Mustard can play. Tynemouth, second from the basement with just one victory in 12 attempts, are unchanged and will miss the batting skills of Graeme Hallam, who is again unavailable.

Philadelphia will want to erase the memory of last week's debacle at Blaydon when not only did they score fewer than 100 runs for the second successive week, but suffered the indignity of having Shoaib Akhtar timed out.

"To be honest, Shoaib should, have been ready but these things happen when wickets go down quickly," said Phili vice-captain Graham Hoban.

"It was only around one o'clock and not as if it was late in the game and we were deliberately stalling for a draw. People who have played in the game for more than 50 years can never remember a player being given out in this way and it is certainly not how we play the game.

"Although I emphasise that Blaydon were within their rights."

Newcastle are visitors to Bunker Hill this morning when Phili will again be minus captain Andrew Roseberry, who has hardly played this season.

He has pledged that following this weekend he will fulfil all remaining fixtures. Also out today is Shaun Smith while Newcastle will certainly miss Durham's Danny Law but Wayne Ritzema returns to captain the side. Blaydon go to Benwell Hill and are unsure whether wicketkeeper David Sherrington will be able to play.

He has missed a month with a neck injury but it is expected that another player from the Riverside, Graeme Onions, will have recovered from a torn muscle. Benwell Hill are now sixth and they hand a debut to student Martin Coy.

Paul Askell is also named, the pair taking over from Barry Evans and Russ Brown.

* Any club wishing to join the league from season 2004 must be a member of the Feeder League system and apply to secretary Keith Telford on (0191) 4171899 by August 1.