Diamonds, Steelmen and Doughboys all itching to get back into action this weekend

AFC Rushden & Diamonds, Corby Town and Wellingborough Town are all scheduled to resume their Pitching-In Northern Premier League Midlands Division for the first time since they last played competitive fixtures on New Year's Day.

Diamonds are on home soil for the first time since Boxing Day as they entertain Sutton Coldfield Town (ko 3pm), while the Steelmen and Doughboys are on the road at Belper Town and Lichfield City respectively.

Despite sitting in 14th place, Elliot Sandy's Diamonds are still hoping to get involved in the promotion play-off picture, as they are only seven points off the top five.

Diamonds have boosted their squad over the past week with the signing of former Corby attacker Jordan O'Brien, as well as Cobblers youngsters Joziah Barnett and Ollie Evans on loan.

All three could feature at Hayden Road against a Sutton Coldfield side who are unbeaten in five games, and lie just below Diamonds in 15th place.

When these two teams met back in October an injury hit Diamonds lost 5-3, and Sandy said: "It will be a difficult game, but the lads hopefully won’t need any motivation after the Sutton players post-game reaction to the win at their place!

"Having lost our last two home games, we owe our fans a win and I always fancy us to beat anyone at Hayden Road."

Leon Mettam's Corby are aiming to bounce back from their 3-1 New Year's Day home defeat at the hands of the in-form Doughboys.

The Steelmen have also been busy on the recruitment front, securing the signatures of eight new players, and they face a tough trip to second-placed Belper Town.

Belper are 11 points adrift of leaders Carlton, and have a six-point cushin over sixth-placed Mickleover, so are well placed to qualify for the play-offs.

Despite the recent upheavel and player exodus at Steel Park, Corby remain in the picture for a top five finish, and they go to Belper match sitting in eighth place, three points off fifth-placed Anstey Nomads.

Jake Stone's Doughboys are currently top of the form chart in the Midlands Division, having won four and drawn two of their past six matches.

It's a run that has seen Borough move up to ninth in the table and just four points off the play-off places, but they face a testing fixture on Saturday as they got to a Lichfield side that are one place below them in the table, and are on the same points.

The two sides previously met back in October, with the match ending in a 1-1 draw at the Dog & Duck.