MIKE Atherton is out of Lancashire's Championship game against Essex starting at Old Trafford tomorrow - throwing up new fears about his cricketing future.

Atherton pulled out of Lancashire's one-day games last week after suffering some stiffness in his back following his comeback at the Oval, but was expected to recover in time to face Essex.

But coach Dav Whatmore confirmed today that the 30-year-old former England captain is still struggling.

He saw his London back specialist again over the weekend and was due to have another series of injections in an attempt to retain full flexibility. But it is increasingly difficult to see Atherton achieving his aim of proving his form and fitness sufficiently to regain his England place for this winter's tour of South Africa - and a possible rematch with Allan Donald.

He is already in demand by the media after his work for the Sunday Telegraph and the BBC during the World Cup, and speculation is increasing that he may retire to concentrate on that work sooner rather than later - although Atherton is still determined to play again.

And he showed with his 156 in his comeback innings for the second team in Middlesbrough, followed by a half century at the Oval, that it is still too early to write him off as a batsman.

His absence tomorrow means that skipper John Crawley is again in line to open with Mark Chilton, allowing Mike Watkinson to return to the middle order.

Lancashire have named a squad of 12 with Ian Austin, who like Watkinson missed the defeat by Surrey at the Oval, also returning - although they face a tricky decision between Austin and Gary Keedy for the last bowling place.

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