EMERGING Worcestershire talented fast-bowler Ben Gibbon is in contention to make his senior debut for Worcestershire this week when Durham visit New Road in the County Championship.

Following a successful trial with the club at the end of last season, he was offered his first professional contract with the club and stood out in the pre-season games.

And now he is included in the 12-man squad for the Division Two clash with Ben Stokes' Durham side this week.

"Ben has worked extremely hard since he joined us," said head coach Alex Gidman.

"He has got some really good attributes, is a strong left arm bowler, which is really good to have in the balance of a squad and a team.

"He’s adapted well, trained hard in the winter and has been knocking on the door since the season started.

"We are really pleased with how he is coming along.

"He is a bit of an old school cricketer, a no-fuss approach, just runs in, understands his job, and tries to do it to the best of his ability, which is all you can ask for.

"We are really pleased with how far he has come so quickly. We are picking him because he deserves his chance, and we are getting to that stage, already albeit relatively early in the season, where we’ve picked up an injury or two.

"He thoroughly deserves his place in the squad, and we are really looking forward to him going about his business if he gets his opportunity."

Gibbon is one of two players added to the squad for the fixture, with Joe Leach also returning.

Leach is back after taking ten wickets in the opening two games before missing the trip to Trent Bridge with a stomach bug.

Gidman said: "Joe has had a good start to the season and really disappointed for him he picked up the bug when he did, but these things happen.

"The positive news is he’s had a bit of a rest, which he was likely to need at some stage, and that’s a good thing in the longevity of the season."