Bishop Auckland manager Ian Chandler says that his players are itching to play again when they take on Ashington at Heritage Park on Saturday.

Bishops, who have had an eleven day break since their last game, have won four and drawn one of their last five league games to put them into fourth place in the table, five points behind leaders Consett – and that run has got the club buzzing and hoping for promotion success.

“The game can’t come quick enough for the lads – they’re itching to play again, but they know that Ashington are an improving team and the game will be another good test for us,” said Chandler.

“We’re happy to be up there challenging, we’ve got a chance of winning the title.”

Midfielder Kyle Patton is out for a month because of injury, otherwise Bishops will be at full strength.

Former Shildon manager Gary Forrest takes West Auckland back to his old club for their local derby, and said; “We need the three points to keep the pressure on the top two.” West are currently a point behind Dunston and four behind Consett.

Striker Nathan Fisher, midfielders Anth Bell, Adam Mitchell and Arron Wearmouth plus defender Dan Parker are all injured.

Shildon, who are in ninth, will be at full strength – this week they have allowed defenders Jamie Harwood and Darryl Hall to leave the club.

The sides have already met this season in the league, with West winning 3-0.

Newton Aycliffe face Guisborough for the third time this season, having lost to them already in the FA Cup after a replay when Guisborough keeper Jordan Nixon scored late in the first game.

Manager Deano Browne said; “It’s the perfect opportunity for us to get some payback for the FA Cup defeat. We are both close to each other in the league so it will be a really competitive contest. “ Wilf Dinsdale and Ton Gavin will both be missing.

In the pick of the other games, leaders Consett are at home to sixth placed North Shields, while second placed Dunston UTS are at Ryhope CW.

In the second division, managerless Durham City – previous boss Wayne Gredziak quit after their defeat at Brandon last Saturday – are at home to Heaton Stannington, and unless they appoint their third manager of the season before the game, then chairman Olivier Bernard will be looking after the team.

Durham are currently bottom of the table with just two wins all season, and are eight points from safety.

Chester-le-Street, who are third, go to Billingham Synthonia, and they are missing three players because of injury, while Joe Hailes, Michael and Danny Hepplewhite and Jack Oliver are all doubtful, so there are possibly a couple of new signings coming in before the game. Manager Colin Wake said; “Billingham try to play football at every opportunity and at Norton they have the pitch to enable them to do that. It will be another good test after our recent dip in form.”

Northallerton, who are a point behind Chester with a game in hand, go to Washington and looking for their fourth straight clean sheet. Stephen Cheeseman is still out injured, but midfielder Chris Emms and defender Dale Elgie are both expected to return after injury, as well as Neil Pattinson and Josh Keogh.

Willington can put themselves right in the middle of the promotion race if they win at second placed Thornaby. They’re currently in sixth place, five points off the top three.

Keeper Lewis Graham is out though because of a shoulder injury, while defender Jeff Smith and striker Dean Thexton are both suspended. Graham Lazonby and Jason White are both injured.

Crook Town, who are sixth from bottom, face Easington at the Millfield and looking to bounce back from their defeat at Heaton Stannington last week.

Crook manager Jamie Tunstall said; “This is a really tough game. Easington are a very good side who like to get the ball down and play. They lost at Thornaby last week but were the better side in the first half. We’re starting to get competition for places again which is good as the lads need to start nailing positions down. Saturday is massive for us, and one we need to take points from.”

Tow Law go to Redcar Athletic for the first time ever in a league game, the two sides locked together on the same points but Lawyers have a better goal difference. Lawyers include new signing Steven Aiston brought in from Whickham.

Esh Winning, who are third bottom, are at Ryton and Crawcrook, and manager Tony Boakes hopes that he doesn’t have to make changes to the team that won at Washington in their last outing, the first time this season that he will able to field an unchanged team.

Second bottom Brandon, who are five points away from safety, are looking for their second successive win at home to Bedlington. They will be at full strength, with the exception of striker Craig Hindmarch.

The draw for the quarter finals of the Ernest Armstrong Cup is: Thornaby v West Allotment, Birtley v Chester-le-Street, Willington v Heaton Stannington, Northallerton v Jarrow.

Ties are due to be played on the 8th and 9th January.

The draw for the last 16 of the Brooks Mileson Northern League Cup is; Newton Aycliffe v Guisborough, Tow Law v Willington, West Allotment v Newcastle Benfield, Chester-le-Street v Heaton Stannington, Consett v Bishop Auckland, Sunderland RCA v Stockton Town, Thornaby v West Auckland, Ryhope CW v Whitley Bay.

Ties are due to be played on 11th and 12th December.