Northern Districts will be looking to strengthen their Ford Trophy finals claim when they take to Eden Park Outer Oval tomorrow against the Auckland Aces.

The side remain fourth after a tense one-wicket victory against the Wellington Firebirds at the Basin Reserve on Sunday, but they sit just one point of the Otago Volts in third.

ND illustrated the depth of their squad in Wellington with several new faces in the squad stepping-up to replace those on BLACKCAPS duty.

ND will need to call on all this depth again as they face an Auckland side who is sitting at the top of the points table.

With several of their BLACKCAPS also missing, it will be a test of Auckland's depth as well and, should provide for an intriguing encounter.

Round seven of the Ford Trophy begins Wednesday, January 29, 11.00am at Eden Park Outer Oval, Auckland.

NORTHERN DISTRICTS FORD TROPHY SQUAD - ROUND SEVEN V AUCKLAND ACES

Joe Carter (c)                     Bay of Plenty

Peter Bocock                      Hamilton

Henry Cooper                     Northland

Katene Clarke                    Counties Manukau

Anton Devcich                    Hamilton

Zak Gibson                         Waikato Valley

Brett Hampton                    Bay of Plenty

Brett Randell                       Northland

Anurag Verma                     Hamilton

Neil Wagner                        Bay of Plenty

Joe Walker                          Hamilton

BJ Watling                           Hamilton