STEVE Rhodes is in danger of missing title-chasing Worcestershire Royals' Norwich Union League Division One clash with Kent Spitfires at New Road tomorrow (12 noon).

The long-serving County wicketkeeper suffered an injury to his left thigh yesterday afternoon during his side's six wicket Frizzell County Championship Division Two defeat against leaders Middlesex.

Play was held up briefly while his thigh was strapped up, but he eventually had to leave the field. He headed straight for the treatment room putting his place in the side tomorrow under threat.

Reserve wicketkeeper Jamie Pipe is standing by to take over.

Paceman Matt Mason, who has been sidelined recently because of an injury to his bowling hand, will have a try-out in the nets before the County finalise their side.

Worcestershire go into the match two points behind Glamorgan who entertain Graeme Hick's men in a crunch day-night showdown at Cardiff on Tuesday.

Kent are in third place, six points behind the County and must win all their remaining games to stand any chance of hanging on to their title.

Worcestershire's Director of Cricket Tom Moody, who masterminded the side's promotion to the First Division last season, said: "Every game we play in from this time onwards is so critical to us. We are up there in the league and have a chance to win it which would be a great bonus. It's in our own hands.

"We have two big games coming up tomorrow and then at Cardiff on Tuesday and if we just keep our good form then hopefully we are going to end up at the top of the pile.

"We always expected to be competitive in the First Division, but we were unsure how strong the competition was going to be. But we have played one-day cricket well this year and now we are in a position to win the league.

"We are playing good enough cricket to do it. Our destiny is in our own hands because we play the teams that are around us in the next few games."

Worcestershire (from): Solanki, Singh, Hick, Smith, Peters, Leatherdale, Batty, Rhodes, Pipe, Kabir Ali, Lampitt, Sheriyar, Mason.