NICK Speak is set to return in Lancashire's Sunday League game against Somerset at Old Trafford tomorrow after a freak training accident ruled him out of the Championship clash.

Speak jarred his right hand during one of Lancashire's sessions with karate expert Geoff Thompson on Wednesday morning.

"I didn't think it was too bad at the time but when I had a net on Thursday it was sore to pick up the bat," he explained today.

"It was a big blow because I've been in pretty good form with runs against Oxfordshire in the NatWest this week and Durham in our last Sunday game.

"It's feeling much better now and I hope to put my name in the hat for selection tomorrow."

Joining him in the hat will be England pair Mike Atherton and Peter Martin, rested for the Championship game, which should appease any disgruntled Lancashire members.

But John Crawley will be missing again. It's now three weeks since he pulled up with a hamstring injury in the Sunday game against Essex at Chelmsford and his hopes of fighting his way back into Test contention are fading.

Crawley is hopeful of returning in the Championship game against Worcestershire at Old Trafford next Thursday.

Their hopes of Championship victory were fading today in stormy conditions at Old Trafford. Only two overs were possible yesterday leaving Lancashire on 380-5.

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