Injuries ravage Chester ahead of huge task at South Shields
Division One’s bottom club, Chester-le-Street, face a daunting task away to South Shields, who are aiming for an 18th successive victory tomorrow.
The Cestrians have a few players missing with injuries. Kieran Megran, Daniel Hepplewhite, Daniel McGuire, Chris Pearson, and Michael Graver are all out, while Logan Powell has left the club to join Alnwick Town.
Jack Honour and David Latham are, however, available and in the squad.
Shields are expected to be without Barrie Smith (hamstring). Striker Gavin Cogdon is available again, having shaken off a hamstring concern of his own, while Stephen Ramsey is a doubt after being injured in the warm-up at Newcastle Benfield on Wednesday.
Washington, with three wins and a draw in their last six outings, helping them move clear of the relegation zone, welcome in-form Marske United to Nissan.
New bosses James Clark and Michael Laws will look to find the clinical finish which deserted the Mechanics in last week’s 0-0 draw with Guisborough.
Easington Colliery face a difficult task to resurrect their promotion ambitions in Division Two’s game of the day .
Paul Frame’s side, sitting in seventh place, visit freescoring fifth-top Billingham Town, looking to turn around their form after taking just seven points from the last nine league matches.
Easington miss Callum Hope and Reece Kenney, but striker Bryan Norton is back to full fitness and in possible contention for a start. He may face a fitness test before the game.
Dylan Nesbitt is out injured alongside Peter Jones, Shaun Smith and Shane O’Brien, while Dan Martin recently left the club to join Silksworth CW and Liam Hodgson has signed for Seaham Red Star.
Durham City, in fourth position, travel to mid-table Heaton Stannington who are bang in form, winning five of their last six games.
Crook Town face a long trip to Alnwick Town but will have a fully fit squad to choose from, excepting the suspended Lewis Brown.
Brandon United have a tough task at leaders Team Northumbria, who miss Josh Bynoe for at least four weeks with an ankle strain picked up in training.
Robbie Grainey his also out for a month after sustaining a burn at work, while Adam Chrostowski has a long-standing commitment which keeps him out tomorrow.
Tow Law Town visit Whickham and only miss ankle injury victim Ben Collinson.
Secretary Steve Moralee said: “It will be a competitive game against Whickham and we travel on the back of a decent run and want to continue that run going.”
Whickham manager Robin Falcus said: “Jordan Fraser is unavailable with a hamstring injury, but Andrew Brown should be back after being away with a chest infection. David Clasper should also be back in contention - he was away with work last week.
“Tow Law are a very similar team to us, and their pitch is similar to ours. They have recently signed Adam Nichols, who is a very good First Division player, and Matty Moffatt, who is also very good.
“We know we’re going to be up against it.”
Third-top Billingham Synthonia are big favourites away to second-bottom Darlington RA and only miss Nathan Steel.
Bottom club Esh Winning host Willington in a crucial relegation battle tonight.
The Hall Lane side, in fifthbottom spot, are only seven points better off, with Esh on a good run, with three wins in their last six matches.
Willington secretary Geoff Siddle said: “We still have a doubt over Graham Lazonby with his shoulder injury. We’re seven points ahead of them, with three games in hand, so a win would see us sitting quite comfortably.
“We’ll do our best to get the three points to keep us comfortable in the league.”