Guisborough manager Chris Hardy says that he will be keeping his players focused when they travel to Crook on Saturday.

Guisborough go into the game in second place behind already promoted Newton Aycliffe, but they slipped up last week in their local derby against neighbours Marske.

Hardy said: "The last four games leave us needing 8 points from 12 to guarantee promotion regardless of what teams around us. If other teams slip up then it's a bonus, we will be working towards 8 points sooner rather than later! It's my job to keep the lads focused on the job in hand and hopefully if they can do that, plus we have a little bit of luck along the way fingers crossed we should be ok."

Striker Chris I’Anson returns from injury while Crook are missing key strikers Kevin Devine and Andy Appleby because of suspension, as well as midfielder Sean Joseph.

Third placed North Shields, who ended a run of five league games without a win in midweek at Whitehaven, are at bottom club Morpeth, and seven players return who missed the midweek trip, but Femi Akinbolu and Ross Atkinson will have fitness tests. Shields are nine points behind Guisborough with two games in hand.

Marske United, who are now fourth after winning at Brandon on Thursday with a late goal, are at home to Whitehaven, and manager Paul Burton expects to choose from a full squad. Marske are three points behind Shields with a game in hand.

Team Northumbria, who are fifth, are at second bottom Brandon, who will be missing their top scorer Daniel Corbett, but Tim Bowman is added to the squad.

Northallerton, one of the most improved teams in the second half of the season, play Chester-le-Street for the second time in four days after beating them 3-1 in midweek.

Martin Butterworth and Andrew Ramsbottom both return to the Northallerton line up. Chester add keeper Alex McKenzie to their squad, while Craig Marron, Kevin Dixon and Lee Chapman will all have fitness tests.

Darlington RA go across to Gillford Park, and will be missing defender and assistant manager Jamie Smith and Mark Jenkinson, but Max Ripley and Paul Freary return.

Former Darlington midfielder Neil Radigan and Matty Nelson both return for Thornaby at home to Hebburn, who add striker Steven Forster and defender Scott Donaldson to their squad.

Horden go to Birtley looking for a win to lift them out of the bottom three, and they welcome back striker Andy Richardson after injury, but Gilberto Chapim is missing because of injury. Birtley are missing six players for various reasons, including first choice keeper Dan Regan.

Whickham play Washington this morning as part of “Northern League day” which is being organised by a group of online bloggers.

*Read what Northern League chairman Mike Amos has to say about the Wayne Rooney swearing incident in Local Heroes on Saturday,