Dave Bell's side open their Wearside League campaign at home to Annfield Plain tomorrow, having finished as runners-up to champions New Marske last time out.

The success has increased expectation in Jarrow, but Bell is refusing to get carried away.

His preparations for the game against Annfield Plain – who were something of a bogey side last season – have been hit by the news that key defender Liam Poppleton has broken his collar- bone in three places in a pre-season friendly.

Bell said: "At the minute, it is looking like it will be at least the new year before Liam can play again."

Keith Hallway (wedding), and holidaying duo Kriss Goss and Neil Archibold are also absent tomorrow, but Bell has strengthened his squad with new signings Chris Lunn, Stephen Cockburn and Paul Archer.

Daniel Purvis also returns to the club, while Aiden Fittis has joined from Jarrow Under-21s.

Elsewhere in the Wearside League, BOLDON will be hoping to get off to a similar start to last season.

Back then, Malcolm Reay's side came storming out of the blocks, and led the table for a time in the first month of the campaign.

They have the bonus of a home fixture first, with Silksworth Community the visitors.

It's been all change down at HARTON & WESTOE, with a new chairman and management team.

Andy College and Dave Woods, who were in charge of East Durham last season, have replaced Michael Hutchinson, who has ironically moved in the opposite direction.

Trevor Jones is now in overall charge of the club, after he stepped forward with a 12th-hour rescue package to save Harton from going out of existence.

They get the first game of the new regime underway with a trip to Easington Colliery.

In the Northern Alliance, HEBBURN REYROLLE will be looking for a better season than last, where they just avoided relegation from Division One.

First up for them sees Penrith A make the long journey over from Cumbria, while in Division Two, SHIELDS UNITED – who have promotion ambitions this term – make the shorter trip to Forest Hall.

Shields impressed in their first-ever season last year, and are hoping to kick on at the top of the table.

SIMONSIDE SC boss Gordon Diamond has added two attackers to his squad – former Cleadon player Kyle Riley and ex-Harton man James Roberts – ahead of their opening game at Hartlepool St Francis tomorrow.

Sima finished fourth last season, and are hoping to win some silverware this term.

*Don't miss Monday's Gazette for a full round-up of the weekend's non-league games.