The Readers' Durham County League: It is extremely tight at the top of the table with only 34 points separating four sides.

Willington are last of the quartet but they have a game in hand and the double programme this weekend affords the opportunity for all four teams to enhance their championship prospects.

Leaders Tudhoe face difficult matches against Ushaw Moor, who in mid-week reached the final of the League Cup, and Willington

A boost to their chances is the news that Kevin Littlefair, Stephen Maddison and Stuart Hood are all available but Christopher Glasper and Tim Smalley cannot play.

Evenwood, only seven points adrift of Tudhoe, visit Esh Winning before having home advantage over Langley Park. Ben Alderson cannot turn out today so Paul Watson is drafted into the team while further changes are necessary tomorrow.

David Wilkinson, John Maughan and Darren Wallace are all sidelined leaving the way open for Gavin Kellett, Kurt Bailey and David Jacobs to stake their claims.

Kimblesworth have just the one game against Etherley tomorrow when they will enjoy ground advantage. They have come up on the rails in recent weeks and are now genuine contenders for the title, although they will need to defeat Etherley to maintain the momentum.

David Sanger and David Shoulder return as the side attempt to put behind them the disappointment of a couple of cup tie defeats this week including the one by Ushaw Moor in the semi-final of the League Cup.

After today's local derby at Crook Town, Willington are involved in a top-of-the-table clash with Tudhoe. Promising youngster Chris Elms is promoted this afternoon because Darren Brown is ruled out but tomorrow Willington name their strongest side for what is certain to be a closely-fought encounter.

Esh Winning, who at one time were among the leading sides, have fallen down the pecking order but 40 points at the expense of Evenwood and Brandon would almost certainly improve their fifth-placed rating.

A big blow to them is the recent loss of Ian Dixon, who has been posted to Southampton by the Army.

It had been anticipated that he would finish the season and in his absence, newcomer Lee Wileman is given his chance.

The 16-year old has moved into the area from Leicestershire where he played at all levels from ten to 15 years at county standard.

Ushaw Moor's confidence is high and professional Sanjay Raul is in exhilarating form, which could be bad news for both Tudhoe and Mainsforth.

"He has been awesome lately and when he is in full flow, he is marvellous to watch," enthused captain Michael Hayton, who reports that Peter Maddison and Stephen Hancock are to take over from Scott Nattrass and Brendan Jackson this afternoon.

Tomorrow, Hancock and Maddison are ruled out while John Bates and Duane Douglas fill the vacancies. Etherley line up at Langley Park and at Kimblesworth are without Drew Kirtley and Danny Hinge but Stephen Taberrer resumes. For their double against Etherley and Evenwood, Langley Park have David Leslie back in the side and Sedgefield for their home game with Brandon bring in Mark Jemmerson and Stephen Flockert for James Forster and Gary Melvin.

Tomorrow at Shildon, Forster resumes with Jemmerson making way. Andy Burgess and Philip Jewell hope to have recovered fitness to take their places for Crook Town in their only game at home to Willington this afternoon and Shildon will be minus captain Lee Douthwaite for the double with Mainsforth and Sedgefield. Michael Parker will lead the team.