LANCASHIRE have a treble headache over three of their most experienced players for the Championship game against Somerset which starts at Old Trafford on Thursday.

As well as skipper Wasim Akram's shoulder problem, vice-captain John Crawley is still struggling with the illness which ruled him out of Sunday's AXA League victory over Northants.

And the man who would be third choice as captain, Neil Fairbrother, picked up a thigh injury on Sunday which forced him to bat with a runner. All three will have fitness checks at Old Trafford tomorrow before Lancashire finalist their team.

But Mike Atherton is back from Test duty to step up competition for batting places.

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