LANCASHIRE's committee will decide their contract offers to a number of top players at Old Trafford tonight.

Andy Flintoff, John Crawley and Mike Atherton are just three of the players out of contract this season - who Lancashire know they must keep. Money is tight after the investment in improved facilities at Old Trafford, including the new hotel, but the England trip won't come cheap.

The full committee meet after the smaller cricket committee - Jack Simmons, Paul Allott and Geoff Ogden - made their recommendations last month.

Other players whose future is up for discussion include Glen Chapple, Mike Watkinson and young seamers Richard Green and Darren Shadford.

Meanwhile Lancashire must decide how to replace Atherton in the Championship game against Derbyshire starting at Derby on Wednesday. Nathan Wood would be the most obvious direct replacement but Crawley could stop up to open with Mark Chilton to clear an extra place in the middle order.

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