LANCASHIRE'S hopes of winning the Totesport League are hanging by a thread as they prepare to face Warwickshire at Old Trafford.

Today's day-night clash is a must win game for the Red Rose side and even then they are relying on other teams slipping up if a title challenge is to be maintained.

Kyle Hogg is back in the squad for the first time since June after overcoming form and fitness problems, but Stuart Law and Warren Hegg are still out, while Jimmy Anderson is back with the England squad in the build up to the next Test match.

The heavy defeat to Gloucestershire on Sunday means Lancashire are four points behind the leaders, Glamorgan, and have now played two games more. Including this match there are just five League games left in the season.

The team can only really have themselves to blame after what has been a very inconsistent campaign.

After starting with four straight wins it all looked good, but then they didn't win a match in June, dropping them back to mid-table.

Two wins in a week against Hampshire and Essex looked to have got them back on track but the weekend defeat at Cheltenham has stalled the progress.

Coach Mike Watkinson admits the issue is out of their hands: "We've just got to get some good wins and hope that some other teams do us a favour and beat some of the ones above us."

Even if the title proves out of reach a high finish in the League is vital for a team of Lancashire's quality.

It would also be a boost ahead of tomorrow's County Championship meeting.

That is another big game, although the failure to bowl out Gloucestershire on Saturday means there is 54 points between the two sides, a massive margin with the final third of the season approaching.