Read likely to be fit for Notts

Chris Read is set to lead Notts after sitting out yesterday's Twenty20 game

Chris Read is expected to shake off a virus to lead high-flying Nottinghamshire against Lancashire at Trent Bridge in Division One of the LV= County Championship.

Read missed the Twenty20 Cup match between the sides yesterday, which Lancashire won by nine wickets.

Read will be without England duo Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann but has Ryan Sidebottom at his disposal after the seamer was not picked for their Ashes warm-up fixture with Warwickshire, or for England Lions who face Australia.

The hosts are likely to go into the game with all three senior new ball bowlers: Sidebottom, Darren Pattinson and Charlie Shreck.

With off-spinner Jason Brown the only injured squad member, director of cricket Mick Newell admits his bowling options are considerable.

With that in mind, he is set to return to the rotation system he first employed in 2004, where he switched his seam attack around over the course of the season to ensure his bowlers were fresh.

He said: “With Sidebottom available we are overstocked with options - I’ve got seven bowlers competing for four spots.

“But I’d rather have it that way than as it was a couple of years ago, when injuries and call-ups left us looking for players on loan.

“We’re going to draw up a programme for the bowlers and share the workload around. That potentially means we earmark certain games for certain players.

“For example, Trent Bridge is a ground that assists swing bowlers, so we will look to pick our best swing bowlers for the home games.

“I’ve explained it to the bowlers and while I know no-one likes to sit on the sidelines during matches, the players have to understand we can get the most out of them when they have the odd game off to rest.”

Newell is confident the team will be able to get straight back into the groove as they return to Championship action and added: “We are in an outstanding position but there is still a long, long way to go.

“To have won three out of our first five matches is very pleasing, given the way the weather usually affects the early summer.

“There’s two-thirds of the season left and a lot can change, but our next two home games with Lancashire and Durham are certainly important.”

Australia limited overs batsman David Hussey it set to make his 2009 Championship debut, in place of compatriot Adam Voges who is on Australia A duty.

Lancashire's Francois du Plessis misses the game at Trent Bridge to nurse a small calf tear

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Lancashire are without batsman Francois du Plessis who sustained a small calf tear against Derbyshire in the Twenty20 Cup on Thursday.

Top order batsman Karl Brown has consequently been called into the squad for the first time this season after some excellent performances for the second XI.

With Andrew Flintoff and James Anderson on England duty, and Sajid Mahmood representing England Lions, 21-year-old paceman Steven Cheetham could make his first-class debut.

Tom Smith is another regular missing from the Lancashire’s squad as he recovers from a right side strain.