Sidebottom on the comeback trail

Ryan Sidebottom guest-starred for Leek CC on Saturday in a bid to step up his comeback from an Achilles injury

Ryan Sidebottom will play his first competitive match since the Barbados Test when Nottinghamshire take on Lancashire at Old Trafford in LV= County Championship Division One.

Sidebottom, who returned early from England’s tour of the West Indies to undergo surgery on an Achilles, made a successful comeback for Leek CC in in the North Staffordshire and South Cheshire League at the weekend with six wickets and a breezy 69.

The 31-year-old left-arm seamer comes in for Darren Pattinson, who is out for a fortnight after aggravating an ankle problem in Nottinghamshire’s innings victory over Worcestershire last week. He did not bowl in the second innings.

Nottinghamshire director of cricket Mick Newell said: “I think ‘Sid’ enjoyed himself on Saturday and is now ready to get some first-class cricket under his belt.

“His recovery has gone according to schedule and we expect him to take his place in the side for Old Trafford. We’ve been talking regularly with the ECB and we’re all happy to let him start playing again.”

Alex Hales is set for a championship debut in place of Samit Patel, who will play for England Lions against West Indies at Derby later this week.

“Alex will play and deserves his chance in the four-day side,” added Newell. “He’s done well in pre-season and in the opening Friends Provident Trophy match, and this is an opportunity for him to show what he can do.”

James Anderson showed ominous early-season form for Lancashire at Hove, but he is rested this week

Stuart Broad is also rested by the ECB ahead of the npower Test series, so Paul Franks and Luke Fletcher will vie for the last seamer’s spot. Broad took 7-106 and made 60 against Worcestershire.

Will Jefferson (hamstring), Matt Wood (ankle) and Charlie Shreck (knee) are yet to feature for the first team.

Lancashire must find replacements for James Anderson and Sajid Mahmood as they seek to build on their strong start to the season.

Anderson is rested ahead of the first npower Test on May 6, after bowling superbly for 11-109 to help Lancashire to an opening eight-wicket win over Sussex at Hove.

Mahmood is named in the England Lions side to face West Indies at Derby this week, as he seeks to make an impression ahead of the Test series.

Lancashire’s 12-man squad contains three young seamers with a chance to press their case for a regular first-team place in Anderson and Mahmood’s absence.

Kyle Hogg, who played in Anderson’s place in the Friends Provident Trophy match with Northamptonshire on Sunday, vies with Oliver Newby and Steven Cheetham for two spots in the XI.

Andrew Flintoff (knee) and Mal Loye (calf) are still missing from the squad.