CHORLEY start the new season with a stiff test of their potential against Netherfield at Windsor Park.

But a cloud has been lifted with the news that professional Stephen John is likely to make the line-up for the match after all.

The war in Iraq had delayed the release of working visas for John and other Pakistani professionals but the club learned this week that his visa has come through and he was due to board a plane in time to arrive in England today.

Last season, John captured 70 wickets and scored 420 runs, producing one of the best-ever bowling performances in the Northern League with 9-12 against Leyland.

Skipper Jim Fazackerley was very pleased with his relatively inexperienced side's sixth place in the league last term and is hoping that his young players will have learned enough to build on that this year.

Much is expected of 16-year-old all-rounder Tom Smith, who was selected for Lancashire CCC's inaugural academy squad during the winter and has already represented England at youth level.

For tomorrow's match, wicketkeeper Neil Senior is unavailable, as is newcomer Tom Oatley from Wiltshire.