Carlo Robinson and Mark Thompson will be working, Allan Milne hasn't trained since injuring his hamstring against York and Stu Bennett is nursing a rib injury from Bridlington.

Fortunately, we now have the Stags to provide back up. There are lots of youngsters waiting in the wings but, after several superb comeback performances, it could be veteran John Painter who makes it into the squad.

Greg Edwards and Phil Butler impressed the management in the closely fought cup game against Durham at the weekend. Paul Moss also had an excellent game at stand-off and Paul Miller returned to form in the centre. The Cheslyn twins are also impressing - as is Steve Clayton who unfortunately picked up a nasty ankle ligament injury.

The Stags game against Northern is off because most of the lads are needed for the Under 18's game on Sunday.

The first team game kicks off at 2.00 pm and promises to be a lively encounter. Northern are rooted at the bottom of the table but they didn't look a bad side at all when we put 20 points past them at Brinkburn.

They don't have the biggest pack but they are mobile and have a lively set of backs.

We are currently on 10 points, and looking to add a few more between now and the end of January, with home games against Redcar and Stockton next up.

The first priority is to get away from the danger zone. Last season Alnwick were third from bottom and relegated with 11 points. We already have 10 points but it is a lot tighter league this time around and it coul well be that 16 or 17 points are needed to be safe.