Seaham Red Star down to bare bones
Seaham Red Star manager Mark Collingwood has admitted that he is down to the bare bones for his side’s meeting with promotionchasing Consett.
Ex-Red Star midfielder Nick Allen faces an immediate reunion with his former club after joining the Steelmen last week.
Collingwood admits that losing the former Washington player was a blow, as he contends with a severely-weakened squad.
“He’s a massive loss,” explained the Red Star boss.
“He was at Washington and little bit under the radar.
“I wanted him since he was at Durham City and that shows how long I have rated him.
“We tried to play on his heartstrings to get him to see the season out for us, but he wants to play as high up the pyramid as possible and it’s a good move for the lad.
“Facing him on his debut is just our luck.
“I am sick of talking about luck and it has to turn soon.
“Things don’t get easier and we have a tight squad, but we are staying positive.”
David Henderson has been ruled out with a pulled calf, Liam McNamara is unavailable and Bobby Taylor is suspended after he was shown a red card in the defeat against Bishop Auckland.
Collingwood is hopeful of adding two Division Two players over the coming days after making seven-day approaches for the duo this week.
Sunderland RCA could be boosted by the return of two key players ahead of their trip to Newton Aycliffe. Midfielder Dylan Elliott and forward Steven Callen have been pencilled in to make their returns from long-term injuries after rejoining training two weeks ago. Ryhope CW manager Gary Pearson has a number of injury concerns ahead of their home game against struggling Ashington.
Chris Wallace (hamstring), Corey Nicholson (knee ligaments) and Olly Hotchkiss (knee) have all been ruled out of the game.
League leaders Dunston UTS have fitness doubts over Dan Halliday, Jack Elliott and Michael Pearson as they face basement club Penrith.
Newcastle Benfield manager Tom Wade is looking to add two players to his depleted squad ahead of their home game against North Shields.
The visitors will be without keeper Greg Purvis after he was injured in the Northumberland Senior Cup tie between the two sides on Wednesday night.
Lee Bythway and Dylan McAvoy are missing from the Guisborough Town squad for their trip to Shildon, and Stockton Town are without suspended striker Fred Woodhouse as they travel to Hillheads to face Whitley Bay.
Division One rivals Hebburn Town and West Auckland Town meet in the last 16 of the FA Vase.
Hornets manager Scott Oliver has revealed that defender Dan Groves is out of the tie after undergoing a hernia operation, and Lewis Suddick is cup-tied.
However, there was better news for Oliver as Louis Storey, Jack Robson and Dan Smith all return to his squad.
The former Birtley Town manager admitted that he was looking for his side to go on the attack against a West side that are yet to concede a goal in the Vase this season.
He said: “The lads will be doing all they can to progress.
“West Auckland have good players and to win at Sunderland RCA in the last round was a great result.
“They have not conceded a goal in the Vase so far, so the likes of Graeme Armstrong, Luke Sullivan and Michael Richardson will be looking to dent that record.
“The winner has the chance to play at home in the quarter-final, so there is plenty to play for.”
West are without suspended duo Adam Mitchell and Steven Snaith.
16 Red Star have 16 points from 22 league games this season