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Saturday's Blue Square South preview

League leaders Lewes still have Eastbourne Borough nipping at their heels while St Albans, Dorchester Town and Sutton United languish in the dreaded drop zone.

Basingstoke v Newport County

Basingstoke town will be looking to record their third successive victory when fellow promotion hopefuls Newport County travel to the Camrose Ground.

The Dragons are currently in ninth place but with 27 points to their name, another win could potentially see them move into a promotion play-off spot.

The Exiles find themselves in fourth place after a 0-0 draw at Eastbourne Borough last week and will be looking to get back to winning ways.

Bath City v Maidenhead United

Having taken just a single point from their last two games, City will look to get back to winning ways against a side they hold a 100% winning record over, Maidenhead United, at Twerton Park this Saturday.

Maidenhead boss Johnson Hippolyte has revealed that injury victims Lee Newman and Bobby Behzadi are unlikely to return to the squad in the near future.

Striker Newman is suffering a hernia problem and utility player Behzadi injured his knee in the FA Cup win over HAYU at the end of October.

Both players will undergo respective operations sometime next week.

Braintree v Thurrock

Recently appointed Braintree Town manager Lee Patterson will be hoping his side can return to winning ways when Thurrock visit Cressing Road Stadium.

Andy Porter returns to contention after completing a ban while Robbie Martin could play some part in the fixture after suffering a virus.

Bradley Quinton and James Baker are close to full fitness and be available for selection.

Thurrock find themselves dangerously close to the relegation zone after collecting 19 points but have played one less game than their opponents.

Bromley v Eastleigh

Bromley prepare for the visit of fellow promotion chasers Eastleigh to Hayes Lane on Saturday with just one point separating the two teams on the Blue Square South table.

The Ravens were dealt a double blow on this week as manager Mark Goldberg tendered his resignation following Tuesday night's defeat to Welling United in the Setanta Shield.

The Spitfires are currently on the edge of the play-off zone and boast the same total as fifth-placed Bath City.

Cambridge City v Hampton & Richmond

The Lilywhites face a stern test when high-flying Hampton & Richmond make the trip to the City Ground.

Cambridge signed experienced striker Tom Youngs on non-contract last week and he was included in the squad that faced Newport County.

Stuart Wall returned from his loan spell at Stamford and was included in the same squad. Both players are expected to make their respective home debuts this weekend.

Hampton & Richmond have played 16 games thus far and are well-placed in third with 31 points while Cambridge sit in 15th with 20 points.

Dorchester v Bishop's Stortford

Former Weymouth and Torquay United manager Paul Compton has assumed temporary charge of the Dorchester team while director of football Shaun Brooks attends to serious health issues.

Skipper Alex Browne is expected to be missing until the New Year as he continues to suffer from a growth around the ankle area.

One bit of good news however, is that Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Wes Fogden has had his loan spell extended into a third month.

Stortford squad striker Steffan Gaisie has joined Maidstone United on a month's loan while 2006 supporters' player of the year, Rob Gilman, has returned to woodside park.

Carl Patten will be out of action for a couple of weeks following an accident in which the striker sustained a head injury and defender Mark Wright has left Woodside Park after having his contract terminated with immediate effect.

Eastbourne Borough v Bognor Regis Town

Eastbourne Borough will undoubtedly be in fine spirits this weekend after a thrilling 7-2 win over local rivals Lewes in midweek.

Garry Wilson's side claimed a place in the next round of the Setanta Shield in a match that saw three players sent off and Andy Atkin net a superb hat-trick.

Bognor Regis find themselves hovering just above the drop zone with a disappointing total of 16 points from 18 fixtures.

Havant and Waterlooville v St Albans

The Hawks will be focused on collecting all three points when struggling St Albans make the trip to Westleigh Park.

Havant are currently mid-table with 23 points but have only played 15 matches, whereas the Saints languish in the dreaded drop zone with 14 points from 18 fixtures.

Saints boss Dave Anderson is forced to make two changes for the game with defenders Hasim Deen and Craig Vargas both suspended, while Reiss Noel and Paul Semakula both picked up injuries in action for the reserves on Monday night.

If he fails to land a new defender the Saints boss could be left with no option but to recall Ben Martin from his loan spell at Ashford Town.

Hayes & Yeading v Lewes

Steve King's Lewes side will be keen to banish all memories of their embarrassing defeat to Eastbourne Borough when they visit Church Road on Saturday afternoon.

Tom Davis and Anthony Barness were rested in midweek and will almost certainly make a return to the first-team squad.

Steve Robinson and Dale Binns were unavailable for the same match due to work commitments and will also travel with the squad.

Hayes & Yeading currently occupy 13th place on the table while the Rooks sit in pole position with 40 points from 17 fixtures.

Welling v Sutton United

Neil Smith's Welling prepare for the visit of rock-bottom Sutton United to Park View Road as they look to further distance themselves from the relegation zone.

Sutton will miss defender Asher Hudson, a summer capture for Ian Hazel, after he joined Leatherhead earlier this week.

Teenager Dean Sammut has made the right-back spot his own this term and is expected to play his part in Saturday's clash.

Craig Tanner was stretchered off in the loss to Basingstoke last weekend and is expected to miss out.

Weston-Super-Mare v Fisher Athletic

Weston-Super-Mare boss Tony Ricketts will have to make do without the services of Craig Rand after he tweaked his groin during last Saturday's defeat the hands of Hampton & Richmond Borough.

Charlie Comyn-Platt missed that match with an injury but could make a return on Saturday.

Fisher signed Scott Gooding from Ryman Premier side Tonbridge Angels for an undisclosed fee this week and he should be available to make his debut.