JOHN Campbell has had trials with Swindon Town, Leyton Orient and Scunthorpe United in the last two months – but today he will spearhead Newcastle Benfield’s attack in the STL Northern League game against Billingham Synthonia at the Sam Smiths ground.
Swindon and Orient both made offers to the striker, and on Tuesday night his manager Paul Baker watched him in action for Scunthorpe Reserves against Leeds United Reserves.
Baker said: “This was John’s second game for them and I thought he did very well.
“They want him back to train with the first-team squad and we will just have to see where it goes, but there is no doubt he is good enough to play in the Football League.”
With Keiron McDonald returning, Baker has a full squad at his disposal as Benfield attempt to keep the pressure on leaders Consett and Spennymoor Town.
Billingham Synthonia have reached the last 32 of the FA Carlsberg Vase, but they need points for a different reason.
They are uncomfortably placed fifth from bottom, just five points outside the relegation zone. A boost for joint manager Michael Watson is the fact David Yale, Nathan Jameson and Mark Scott are expected to be available.
Whitley Bay were not exactly licking their wounds following the midweek defeat by Ashington in the quarter-finals of the Sage Northumberland FA Senior Cup – but manager Ian Chandler is only too aware that the Seahorses cannot afford to lose at home to Penrith.
He said: “Despite losing, I thought we played reasonably well with an under-strength side.
“Goalkeeper Terry Burke, Darren Timmons, Paul Robinson, Joe Cornforth and Greg Downes all come into contention.
“We really need to defeat Penrith and keep alive our hopes of a top-two finish and qualify for promotion.”
Leaders Consett visit Billingham Town hoping to have international clearance for Richard Slaughter and Stephen Aiston in time for the pair to be involved.
They played while studying in America and have now returned home.
Spennymoor Town are second before lining up with bottom-of-the-table Ryton at Kingsley Park. Assistant manager Perry Briggs knows Paul Stephenson is likely to miss the remainder of the season after having a cruciate ligament operation earlier in the week.
