Wearside League: Jak's the Wright man to fill Silksworth's keeper gap
The Wearsiders – who host Hartlepool tomorrow – have managed just two points in their last four home league matches at Silksworth Welfare Park, since a 5-2 defeat of South Shields Reserves back on August 26.
Silksworth will be without goalkeeper Joe Clayton, who will be missing for two weeks after dislocating a thumb in a recent game and playing through the pain barrier.
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Hide AdJak Wright returns to the squad and will provide a like- for-like replacement in goal.
Other than that change, a full squad is expected to be available.
Assistant manager Willie Crew said: “We have continued to pick up points in the league, but would like to string together a run of positive results as we have not quite managed to get into our full stride this season as yet.
“Both sides should come into this fixture on the back of no midweek game, so should be firing on all cylinders.”
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Hide AdHartlepool will have Bob Hammond and Ashley Clark returning to the squad for the trip up the A19.
Sunderland West End – who were knocked off the top spot when Cleator Moor Celtic won 7-0 over Leam Rangers and Hebburn Town Reserves when they beat Darlington Reserves 4-2 – are without a game this weekend.
Boldon CA travel to Richmond Town for an intriguing match, and manager Paul Mossa has lost the services of centre forward and last season’s top scorer Adam Bell, who will miss four games while away.
Centre back Jonny Gage is doubtful after he picked up a hamstring problem last Saturday and will have a late fitness test ahead of the match.
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Hide AdWing-back Aaron Williams returns after missing four games and Mossa is really happy with Jack Lawton’s recovery as he starts to get close to match fitness, after getting in 40 minutes game time last Saturday.
Richmond Town have forwards Ben Darville, Scott Ryan and Wayne Gredziak all returning, alongside wingers Chris Pattison and Sam Pickersgill.
Eighteen-year-old midfielder Joe Shields and centre half Jason Newall also return after missing last Saturday’s game.
Centre back Sean Thompson is a doubt after picking up a hip injury playing for the Under-19s last Sunday.
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Hide AdHebburn Town Reserves are without captain Gary Crutwell this weekend for their home game against Prudhoe Town at Castle View Academy in Castletown, but James Wilson will return.
Harton and Westoe travel to bottom club Windscale, without defender Andrew Burdon, midfielders Cory and Jordan Fenwick and striker Shaun Steavens.
Kieren Laverick, who picked up a knock last week, will have a late fitness test, but manager David Crumbie is hopeful of a positive outcome.
Crumbie said: “There are signings on the horizon, so everyone at the club is positive our results will start to improve.”
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Hide AdWindscale manager David Wilkinson insists that the corner can be turned, even after a number of heavy defeats recently, but he must do without injured Luke Smith (ankle), Dean Fox (hamstring) and long term absentee Ryan Woods (anterior cruciate).
However, he is hopeful that midfielder Darren Donald will be fit and that striker Brad Dryden can get time off work to play.