WORCESTERSHIRE are facing the prospect of being without star overseas batsman Phil Jaques for up to a month in the middle of the season.

There is a likelihood Jaques will be included in the Australia 'A' side that will be involved in the Top End Series -- a program of Twenty20, one-day and four-day games played between 'A' teams from Australia, Pakistan, New Zealand and India in Darwin during July.

Should he be selected, the left-hander will miss out on Worcestershire's entire Twenty20 Cup campaign. However, New Road chief executive Mark Newton has quashed fans' fears that this season is already shaping up like last year's disastrous campaign before a ball has been bowled.

The various comings and goings of overseas players at New Road last season was made the scapegoat for the subsequent relegation from totesport Division One and the failed promotion bid from Championship Division Two.

Also, a huge emphasis is being placed on the importance of creating a harmonious dressing room to develop team spirit and forge that vital winning mentality. This fragile balance can be easily upset by mid-season new arrivals, but Newton says that, if summoned to Australia, Jaques may not be replaced.

He said: "We first made contact with Phil a long time ago, before he was even contracted with Australia. However, it is not the same as the situation with Nathan Bracken because Phil has signed a two-year-deal with us and things like this happen -- they are inevitable.

"When we signed Phil we thought there was a chance he might get called up to the Australia 'A' team -- it was more surprising to us that he then reached the full side and had to miss the start of the season.

"It is not definite that he will be called up, but we have to make a decision on whether to replace him if the situation arises. That decision would depend on who was available at the time," added Newton.

"As Phil would miss the Twenty20 Cup if he is called up, we might still decide to use it as an opportunity to give some of our younger players a chance."