Guisborough's hopes of building on their promising start to the season have been hit by the loss of their overseas professional for a couple of weeks following his recall to Bangladesh.

Mosharraf Hossain has made an impressive start to his career at Fountains Garth with his 13 wickets coming at a cost of just ten runs apiece, and a batting average of 33 adding to his status as an all-rounder.

His excellent form has contributed to the Priorymen's early successes which have seen them rise to fourth in the league table, and with clubs facing a bank holiday double programme the timing of his departure could not be much worse.

The player has been required to return to Dhaka to play for his team in the Bangladesh Super League, a contract requirement that will cause him to miss at least five games for Guisborough.

The club have been granted dispensation to seek a substitute pro in his absence, but that is easier said than done at this stage of the season although it is indicated they have irons in the fire.

Whether they manage to source someone for the bank holiday double header is another matter, although they would love to be able to unveil a replacement today given that they go head to head with fierce rivals Great Ayton.

Hossain is Guisborough's only absentee for the Leven Park clash in which South African Brad Moses makes his home debut after announcing his arrival in England with a superb individual performance last week.

He made an unbeaten century at Normanby Hall, an innings in the classical mould, and there was the added bonus of a four wicket haul to go alongside his runs. David Grainge returns to further strengthen the Aytonians.

Darlington start their weekend with a home game against champions Marton in what is certain to be a stiff examination of their leadership credentials.

So far they have met every challenge, leaning heavily on a potent attack who have been regularly bowling the opposition out for low scores. They show two changes of personnel with Jack Vickerman coming in for Lee Hutton, and Sam Hardy replacing Mattie Wheeler. Marton have their best team in the field for this one.

Second-placed Richmondshire have delayed final selection for their home game against Middlesbrough as they await news of whether Lewis Stabler will be playing for the Yorkshire Academy, while Boro, buoyed by their first win last weekend, have everyone available.

Hartlepool welcome back Adil Arif who will strengthen a batting line-up that failed against the Quakers last week when set a modest target. Pool travel to Mandale Bottoms this afternoon where home club Thornaby have skipper Marc Bould back in charge after being a late drop out from their previous game.

Thornaby are among a group of teams battling to keep their heads above the drop zone.

While Stokesley are some 21 points away from safety at the moment, just 12 points covers the five teams immediately above them in the table with Sedgefield currently occupying the second relegation slot.

Sedgefield enjoy home advantage against Normanby Hall today, the visitors just five points above their hosts. The outcome of this battle could well hinge on the performances of a couple of left-arm spinners against their previous clubs, with former long time Hall pro Mohammad Zahid likely to be the main thorn in Normanby's side and Leigh Beaumont back at the club he helped to a first ever promotion last summer.

Hall keeper Chris Shepherd has a badly swollen hand and is out of today's game -either Graham Robinson or Chris Trillo will keep - while Sedgefield await news on whether Adam Randall will play for the Durham Academy or not.

In today's other games Ben Usher and Bret Upton return to the Barnard Castle side who entertain unchanged Billingham, while James Beaumont is back for Stokesley for their game at Marske.

Just along the coast from Windy Hill Lane there's an appetising Division One match in store when third-placed Saltburn take on second-placed Redcar in a seaside derby carrying added promotion spice.

The game could revolve around the battle between the key performers on both sides, with Redcar's prolific run making duo of Ollie Rodgers and Tom Urwin doing battle with Saltburn's Gary Wright who has been in scintillating all-round form this season.