Once the dust settles after this week's double programme, clubs are at the point where they have completed over a quarter of their league fixtures.

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Sunderland face the double header with renewed optimism after encouraging signs from replacement professional Mohammad Akram.

Akram played his first games last weekend as deputy for Shahid Nazir, who is recuperating following a knee operation that will sideline for a month.

Akram has a top-class pedigree – he played nine Tests for Pakistan and has also played for four county teams, most latterly Surrey. With more than 400 first-class wickets to his name, he will no doubt prove a more than capable stand-in over the next few weeks.

Last week's first win of the season lifted some pressure from the Ashbrooke side as they prepare to face Benwell Hill at Denton Bank on Saturday before entertaining Blaydon on Monday. Alan Mustard is unavailable for the first game, but returns for the second.

John Coxon remains the only slight injury doubt for Chester-le-Street as they prepare for a trip to South Shields, followed by a Ropery Lane clash with a Newcastle side who are starting to scrutinise the league table with increasing anxiety after four straight defeats.

The Cestrians have a full strength squad available and feel that Coxon is likely to be fit.

South Shields will pick from a squad of 12 as they face up to a testing weekend. After the home match with second-top Chester, they travel to leaders and five-time champions South Northumberland.

Mike Fishwick is included in the squad alongside young batting star Oliver Stedman.

The form of Durham Academy batsman Andrew Smith is attracting lavish praise from all quarters. With almost 300 runs from his last two league knocks, he is certainly making an impact.

Academy manager John Windows said: "The lad has worked really hard over the winter and he is now reaping the rewards."

Smith will look to add to his imposing tally over the weekend. The Academy host Stockton at the Racecourse on Saturday before visiting beleaguered Gateshead Fell on Monday.

Fell's main hope of salvation may lie in the fallibility of others just above them, but they do enjoy home advantage in both Bank Holiday matches across the weekend, with Norton first up. Steven Devenport and Danny Clark return for Fell.

It still remains the case that all others' hopes for success need one vital ingredient – for South Northumberland to stumble.

Unfortunately for their rivals, there is just no sign of that. Four consecutive wins sees them occupying all-too-familiar territory at the top of the table ahead of dates with Blaydon and South Shields.

Brendan Ford's hamstring is still causing bother, so Nicky Peng continues to deputise. Richard Brook misses Saturday's match, so 16-year-old John Harbottle makes his first-team debut.