Gidman set for quick recovery

Alex Gidman could lead Gloucestershire 48 hours after suffering a back spasm

Gloucestershire captain Alex Gidman is set to make a speedy return from injury for Middlesex’s visit to Bristol in Division Two of the LV= County Championship.

Gidman suffered a back spasm yesterday, forcing him to pull out of the Gladiators’ six-wicket Friends Provident Trophy quarter-final victory against Nottinghamshire.

The 27-year-old all-rounder is included a 13-man squad which also features overseas all-rounder James Franklin, who is available following New Zealand’s ICC World Twenty20 exit yesterday.

Ireland skipper Will Porterfield, who played against Nottinghamshire, is also in the squad following international duty.

Middlesex too welcome back a duo from ICC World Twenty20 duty, in England batsmen Owais Shah and Eoin Morgan. They are set to be included in captain Shaun Udal’s team.

England Test and one-day skipper Andrew Strauss is set to continue his Ashes preparation in the side, having played in Middlesex’s previous championship encounter against Essex.

Seamers Tim Murtagh (hamstring) and Alan Richardson (back) are still out.