GLEN Chapple returns to Old Trafford tomorrow hoping to hand Lancashire a Championship boost.

The England A paceman has not touched a cricket ball since suffering a dislocated knuckle while fielding in the opening Benson and Hedges Cup tie against Yorkshire last week.

But he had the splint removed yesterday and is aiming to play in Lancashire's next Championship game, against Notts at Old Trafford starting next Wednesday.

"It didn't turn out to be as bad as it first looked," said the 23-year-old today.

"The initial reports were that I could be out for a month, but I'm still looking at the Championship match next Wednesday.

"I will go in for training with the rest of the boys tomorrow, hopefully have a bit of a bowl, and see how it is."

Chapple followed Lancashire's successful Midlands tour, with one day wins at Birmingham, Derby and Walsall, on Teletext. "I've just been at home doing squeezing exercises trying to get the movement back," he added.

"It is a long shot for us to go through in the Bensons, but we've got two wins out of two in the Sunday League so we are still in everything.

"I was feeling pretty good when the injury happened, I thought I bowled well in the Championship against Durham and got up a bit of pace. So hopefully I will be able to pick up from there straight away when I do come back."

Mike Atherton is set to return from his minor groin strain in Lancashire's last B&H tie against Worcestershire on Monday, but skipper Mike Watkinson is still being troubled by his arm problem.

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