Jon Dakin's name has been pencilled in for a return to Championship duty when Essex start their four-day battle against Lancashire at Chelmsford tomorrow.
The all-rounder missed the last game against Kent with a heel injury, but was hoping to confirm his fitness at Canterbury today where the County were involved in a Second XI Trophy game.
"Should he come through okay he'll definitely play," said head coach Graham Gooch. "But we'll assess the situation in the morning."
Gooch also awaits news on Darren Robinson. Although he fractured a finger while fielding against Kent, he later opened the innings and shared in a century partnership with Nasser Hussain.
But Robinson admitted he suffered a lot of discomfort during the course of scoring 47 and the likelihood is that he will stand down.
If that proves the case a new partner will have to be found for Nasser Hussain. In all probability it will be Paul Grayson.
The Yorkshireman was left out of the Kent clash but significantly he is in tomorrow's squad which does not contain out-of-form Will Jefferson.
Grayson is no stranger to the opener's role and while he too has struggled for runs this season, he will provide James Middlebrook with back-up support in the spin department.
Paceman Ryan ten Doeschater and teenage batsman Ravinder Bopara are also in a party of 14 from whom the final team will be selected.
Whatever it is Essex can expect a testing time -- particularly their bowlers.
One batsman who will be hell bent on piling on runs against them is Stuart Law, the Australian star who left Essex amid so much controversy at the end of the 2001 season.
But he is not the only one who has been scoring consistently as Lancashire have established themselves as serious title contenders. Mal Loye and Mark Chilton have also been scoring freely.
They average around the 60 mark so it is hardly surprising that Lancashire, before the latest round of games, have collected more batting points than any other county.
More on Essex County Cricket Club
Published Tuesday, July 1, 2003
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