Bishop Auckland’s hopes of a good FA Vase run starting on Sunday against Chester-le-Street have been dented with the news that star striker Wayne Gredziak could be on his way to Bedlington.

Bishops have been looking to Gredziak for some firepower since Gavin Barton moved to Consett, but Bedlington made a move for him in midweek, and he missed Bishops’ away game in the League Cup at Stokesley.

Bishops are hoping that the situation will be resolved one way or another before Sunday’s game, but regardless manager Colin Myers is hoping that several other players will return after missing the midweek defeat, when he had to put himself on the subs bench.

Opponents Chester-le-Street add striker Scott Donaldson to their squad, which will now be at full strength.

Bishops are playing Sunday because landlords West Auckland are at home Saturday.

Ryton’s FA Vase plans have also been thrown into confusion as they prepare for their home tie with South Shields.

The club sacked manager Barrie Fleming last weekend after their financial circumstances took a downturn, and appointed Peter Craggs as his replacement. Fifteen players have since been made available for transfer, but it is thought that some won’t turn up today because they won’t want to be Vase tied should they move to another club. In midweek, the club only had 21 players registered. South Shields will be at full strength, except for Paul Stoneman who is suspended.

FA Cup heroes West Auckland, who go to Workington next Saturday, are at home to Selby, and they will include striker John Parker, signed in midweek from Ryton. Defender Andrew Green will have a fitness test, and midfielder Adam Nicholls is suspended.

Crook Town have a difficult away game at Scarborough Athletic, and they include new keeper Paul Bennett – who was manager of West Allotment until a fortnight ago – because Ian Myers has a broken rib. However, defender John Jury returns.

Tow Law, who had a good win in the last round, are at home to Pontefract from the Northern Counties East League, and they will be missing injured player-manager Ian Davison, while Derek Waters and Scott Thompson will both have fitness tests.

Second Division Birtley will fancy their chances against the First Division’s bottom club, Esh Winning, but they will be without eight players for various reasons, but Stu Anderson and John Roseby both return. Esh, who haven’t won yet this season in league and cup, are hoping that former Hartlepool midfielder Mark Tinkler will return, but strikers Steve Fothergill and Paul Dixon are both missing because of injury.

Newcastle Benfield, who have a 100 per cent record in the STL, are at Billingham Synthonia, and will probably recall some players who were rested for the league cup game at Brandon on Thursday night. Synners, who reached the semi final three seasons ago, welcome back keeper Josh Moody and defender Robbie Bettson, but David Abel, Mark Scott and Nathan Jameson are all out because of injury.

Brandon, at home to Stokesley, will give six players fitness tests after picking up knocks on Thursday against Newcastle Benfield, while two more are unavailable.

Stokesley are without midfielder David Hillerby and striker Lev Yalcin.

Consett have a tricky home tie against Washington, who have started the second division season well. The Steelmen hope that striker Gavin Ross and midfielder Anthony Lund will return, but midfielder Mark Eccles is still injured. Second Division Washington welcome back defender Graham Liddle and striker Chris Hepple, but striker Glenn Reay is struggling because of injury.

Hebburn take on the last remaining Wearside League club, Easington, and they will be without their skipper, Paul Catto, because of suspension, and injured midfielder Anthony Myers.

Horden have an attractive home tie against Leeds Carnegie, and they are virtually up to full strength with the return of four players, although there is a doubt over Bakary Bojang.

Northallerton include two new signings in their squad at home to Jarrow Roofing, following the arrival of Darren Mowbray from Billingham Synthonia and Neil Tarrant from Dunston. Roofing, who reached the semi finals five years ago, welcome back keeper Jak Wells, but strikers Peter Watling and Keith Oliver are both still injured.

Guisborough, who were stunned in midweek in the league cup at Consett, are without suspended striker Austin Johnson for the Teesside derby against Billingham Town. Manager Chris Hardy will also recall several players who were rested in midweek. Town are without five players for various reasons, but striker Micky Dunwell returns.

Former million pound striker Trevor Benjamin takes charge of Morpeth for the first time when they play Ashington in a local derby. He was appointed in midweek following the departure of Tom Wade to West Allotment.

In the other tie Bedlington take on West Allotment, who are under the new management of Tom Wade.