Northern League Division Two
Division Two basement club Durham City are nearing full strength as they prepare to face Redcar Athletic at Hall Lane.
The Citizens go looking for only their third win of the season against the Northern League’s newest club, who stand 12th in the table with a highly-credible seven wins and eight draws in their 24 league games.
And Durham assistant manager Steve Durrant has admitted that he is looking forward to switching his focus to on-field matters after a hectic time away from the pitch.
He said: “Recruitment, creating a new team, assessing players and reducing injuries has been the priority for the last few weeks.
“But for the first time since we joined Durham, we should be able to field a strong squad on Saturday.
“We have a few players back from injury and new signing Anthony Chapman will be in the squad too.”
Redcar are boosted by the return from injury of centre-back David Abel and fellow defender Stuart Browne could be back in the squad after missing last weekend’s defeat at Willington.
Managerless Washington host 15th-placed Crook Town at Nissan Sports Complex as they look to end a run of seven consecutive defeats, which has left them 16th in the table.
Leaders Billingham Town are without the suspended Luke Hogan for their trip to mid-table Bedlington Terriers.
Town will have defenders Dan Flounders, Kris Summers and Mark Dixon available once again as they bid to extend their unbeaten league run to 25 games.
Second-placed Thornaby travel to Kingsley Park to face a Ryton and Crawcrook Albion side 11th in the table and missing injured duo Phil Hodges and Alex Screawn.
Third meets fourth at the Calvert Stadium as Northallerton Town entertain Chester-le-Street Town.
The Cestrians are looking to continue their impressive form after winning four of their last five league games.
A win would take them level on points with their hosts, but Northallerton’s superior goal difference means that Colin Wake’s side will likely stay in fourth place.
Billingham Synthonia will move level on points with sixth-placed Heaton Stannington if they come out on top when the two sides meet at Norton Sports Complex. New assistant manager Stuart Niven - formerly of Shildon and West Auckland Town - will make his first appearance in the Easington Colliery dugout when they face seventhplaced Jarrow at Perth Green. New signing Darryl Hall could make his Colliers debut and David Vincent will return from suspension.
New signings Josh Scott and Matthew Pennal will be in the Tow Law Town squad for their game at struggling Brandon United, where 17th meet 19th.
In-form Willington - up to fifth - will look to stretch their unbeaten run to five games in all competitions when they visit Birtley Town.
West Allotment Celtic have confirmed the departure of midfielder Shane Donaghey as they prepare to face Esh Winning at West Terrace.
The former Newcastle United academy player is set to move to a club in Scandinavia.