WASIM Akram is set to return to lead Lancashire at Old Trafford as they bid to stay top of the Sunday League against Glamorgan tomorrow.

The Pakistan pace star is still struggling with his shoulder injury, but coach Dav Whatmore said today: "We're missing our main captain and we want Wasim, our vice captain, to give us some leadership."

Wasim was hoping to play in the championship game against Glamorgan at Liverpool but had to pull out on Wednesday when his shoulder was so stiff he could not even bat. That was a reaction to his efforts last Sunday, when he took two for 18 in seven overs, and Whatmore revealed that the plan last week had not been for Wasim to bowl.

"The scenario last weekend was for Wasim to play as a captain but he still bowled seven overs," added the Australian. "I'm sure the team that we pick for tomorrow will have him as the sixth bowler, but the important thing is that he doesn't feel he needs to bowl."

It will be Wasim's third Sunday appearance since he last played in the championship, against Notts back in May.

Lancashire will not decide on the 11 until tomorrow morning but Nathan Wood, Steve Titchard and Gary Keedy are likely to drop out of the championship team.

Jason Gallian is still a couple of weeks away from recovering from his hand injury while Mike Watkinson is also definitely out so Paddy McKeown and Darren Shadford seem certain to return, while Whatmore confirmed that Andrew Flintoff is also under consideration.

Flintoff, the England under 19 captain, has not played for the first team since the Benson and Hedges cup tie against Derbyshire in April as he has continued to be affected by his back problem.

Glamorgan may open with Gary Butcher, brother of England's Mark, in place of Robert Croft, and Waqar Younis definitely plays.

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