Last week, second eleven all rounder Stephen Williams revealed that he will be out of action for a minimum period of six weeks after fracturing the little finger in his right hand in three places in a freak incident whilst playing for Northumberland over 50s side against Yorkshire at Percy Main.

However, Ashington's latest injury bulletin will see second eleven skipper and medium pace bowler Jonathan Sadler expected to be sidelined for three weeks with a knee ligaments injury and 15-year-old wicketkeeper Andrew Gray set to be ruled out for a month with a broken finger after picking up the knock during his first eleven debut against Annfield Plain.

If that wasn't enough, first eleven all rounder Stephen Boyd picked up a back injury in the match at Leadgate on Saturday which restricted him to bowling only seven overs.

Ashington Cricket Club chairman Bruce Storey: "The current injury list is definitely testing the depth of our resources but thankfully due to a strong squad and some excellent junior prospects we are still managing to field two strong sides on a Saturday.

"Whilst the likes of Williams, Sadler and Gray are expected to be out for a number of weeks we are keeping our fingers crossed that Boyd will be fit to resume duty on Saturday in the local derby against Morpeth at Langwell Crescent."