WORCESTERSHIRE hope to have Vikram Solanki back after injury for Monday's Benson and Hedges group clash against Gloucestershire at New Road.

Solanki has missed his side's opening two Frizzell County Championship games against Gloucestershire and Northamptonshire because of a damaged finger sustained in the match with Oxford UCCE in The Parks.

The County's Director of Cricket Tom Moody said: "Vikram's a quality one-day player -- a match-winner.

"He is an impact batsman who had a particularly good year in one-day cricket last season and we need him fit to play."

The Gloucestershire game signals the start of a hectic Benson programme for skipper Graeme Hick's men. On Wednesday they visit Northampton and two days later take on old rivals Warwickshire at Edgbaston.

A week tomorrow Glamorgan will visit New Road with the final group match being against Somerset at Taunton on Monday, May 6.

Regarding Monday's clash with Gloucestershire, Moody said: "It's a tough game. We all know their record in one-day cricket over the past five years. In a way it's a good one to get away early and have a positive result because you can gauge where you are at against a team like Gloucestershire as they are well balance for one-day cricket."

Meanwhile, Worcestershire's Second Eleven Championship match against Northamptonshire ended in a nine wicket defeat at Kidderminster's Chester Road ground yesterday.

The County, who followed on, resumed 27 behind on 184-6 and were all out for 272. It left Northants will the simple task of knocking off 62 to win which they achieved for the loss of one wicket.

On Tuesday the County's Develop-ment Squad meet University College Worcester in a friendly match at New Road, starting at 11am.

Their next Championship game is at Somerset, on Wednesday, May 8.