Middlebrook set to return

James Middlebrook returns for Essex after missing out against Glamorgan

Essex all-rounder James Middlebrook returns to the 12-man squad to face Gloucestershire in the LV County Championship on Tuesday.

Spinner Middlebrook is added to the side that drew with Glamorgan in their last championship outing.

Opener Alastair Cook is unavailable due England duty during their Test match against South Africa.

Coach Paul Grayson said: “At the start of the season we targeted promotion in the Championship and we are sitting quite nicely in the table at the moment.

“Our recent four-day form has been good – we beat Derbyshire and would have beaten Glamorgan had the first day not been washed out. If we play the way we can against Gloucester we can expect to force a good result.”

Gloucestershire are set to recall left-arm spinner Vikram Banerjee for the match.

Banerjee is set to replace Ian Saxelby, the 19-year-old seamer who made his debut in the draw with Middlesex.

Saxelby’s heroics with the bat during a 10th-wicket stand with Anthony Ireland which salvaged a draw have not been enough for him to keep his place while all-rounder Mark Hardinges, who is to leave the county at the end of the season, is expected to be 12th man.

Team mentor Jack Russell said: "There's a lot to play for, and if the team can get a good run in the County Championship then pushing towards the top is a possibility."