PACEMAN Kabir Ali faces a late fitness test ahead of Worcestershire's C&G Trophy clash with Scottish Saltires.

The 24-year-old quick bowler was absent for the County's totesport league defeat at Middlesex Crusaders last Sunday after suffering from a bout of tonsillitis.

Middlesex landed a three-wicket victory at Lord's after the Royals had earlier posted 201-7 with veteran David Lea-therdale striking 72 from 83 balls.

While Ali is hopeful for selection in tomorrow's fixture at the Citylets Grange ground, Edinburgh, pace bowler Nadeem Malik returns from a shin injury to replace on-loan Alamgir Sheriyar.

However, Matt Mason will not be fit for action until the end of the week after suffering a hamstring injury, while David Wigley is out for four to six weeks with a broken hand.

Worcestershire's director of cricket Tom Moody admits it is good to have Malik back in the squad.

Moody said: "Nadeem will be back in the side for us. He's had a shin injury but played a practice game on Sunday with the second team and took five wickets which was encouraging.

"We are still waiting on the fitness of Kabir. He's had tonsillitis and he will have a fitness test."

Scotland have begun their third totesport National League Division Two campaign after finishing bottom in the previous two seasons. But Moody is aware that the side north of the border are more than capable of causing an upset on home territory.

He added: "It's an opportunity for us to kick-start our progress in the C&G Trophy. We really enjoy the competition and have got to the final twice in the last two years.

"But it's going to be tough in Scotland, it always is. We've got a lot of respect for them. We recognise that they are a threat. They are no push-overs.

"We have played in Scotland before and we are aware that they play well in home conditions. The square and wicket is probably not what you come across at first-class grounds in England."

Worcestershire have lost to Gloucestershire in the last two season's finals.