WORCESTERSHIRE Royals will aim to build on their historic week tonight when they face Lancashire Lightning at Old Trafford in the opening Friends Life t20 North Group match (5.30pm).

Having secured their first LV= County Championship Division One match at New Road in seven years against Nottinghamshire on Wednesday, Steve Rhodes’ men want to make a flying start in the competition in which they have struggled recently .

“We play so many different formats you have got to be on the ball all the time,” Rhodes said. “We have now got Twenty20, then we have a four-day game against Hamp-shire and you just have to try and nail every game you play.

“They come along thick and fast and we have to be ready. Hopefully, we can take the confidence from our Notting-hamshire win into this competition.”

But the Royals will have to do it without a star overseas signing as Damien Wright is injured and Shakib Al Hasan and Saeed Ajmal are not yet in the country.

Australian all-rounder Wri-ght is hoping to discover the full extent of the injury to his left calf today following his scan yesterday.

Director of cricket Rhodes is hopeful his 35-year-old pace bowler will be able to play some part in the five matches he is scheduled to feature in. However, Shakib is expected to arrive in the country this evening after delays over his visa, while the County are hopeful Pakistan international off-spinner Ajmal will be in the UK on June 15.

Worcestershire, who have lost 40 Twenty20 cup matches out of 66, go into the game at Old Trafford with two wins in warm-up matches in the shortest format of the game.

Albeit against lesser opposition, the County beat Minor Counties side Shropshire before clinching a comfortable success over a disappointing Scotland team.

Dutch international Alexei Kervezee smashed a 48-ball century in the match against the Saltires and Rhodes will be keen for him to continue in that vein.

Captain Daryl Mitchell is also expected to make his return to the team after nearly a month out with a torn intercostal muscle, but the 27-year-old all-rounder is still unable to bowl.

The Worcestershire chief is also considering restoring 17-year-old all-rounder Aneesh Kapil to the side following his impressive competitive debut against Yorkshire a fortnight ago.

He hit a fine 44 in that Clydesdale Bank 40 defeat before bowling with good pace and accuracy.