Fourth placed Darlington RA need to win at leaders Team Northumbria to keep their promotion hopes alive but they are badly hit by injuries, with several players missing, and manager Nick Harrison will have to field a patched up side.

Hebburn, who are second three points behind TN, are at Northallerton, and they include new midfielder Gareth McAlindon, once of Bedlington and Dunston. David Hunter and David Borley are both added to the squad, but defender Chris Jewels is missing because of suspension. Northallerton are without striker Darren Mowbray, but midfielder Martin Butterworth returns after injury.

Birtley, who are in fifth place, are at Esh Winning, but they are without strikers John Martin and leading scorer Danny Smart, but Scott Garrett and Dan Hepplewhite both return. Esh will be at full strength, except for a fitness test on defender Stephen Oakley. The match is also a return to his old club for Birtley assistant manager Barrie Fleming.

North Shields could finish off Gillford Park's promotion chances if they win in Cumbria, and manager Anthony Woodhouse could name the same team that beat Horden in midweek, Strikers Marc Shiel and Gavin Barton both return for Gillford, who haven't won in their last four league matches.

There is a crunch game at the bottom, with third bottom Seaham Red Star playing second bottom Horden Bottom club Easington have a tough away game at Chester-le-Street, and manager Paul Adamson could add four new players to the squad. Chester scored eight in midweek at Whitehaven with a scratch team, and they add eight players to that squad, but they will definitely be missing top scorer Callum Patton and Lee Richardson because of injury.

West Allotment are at home to Ryton, and are missing at least four players for various reasons, so manager Paul Stoneman chooses from 16 players.

Brandon are at Washington, and manager Vince Kirkup is without six players for various reasons, and so he adds Phil Robinson and Stephen Wilson to the squad.

In the other games, Alnwick are at home to Whitehaven and Whickham are at home to promotion chasing Morpeth.