LANCASHIRE cricket manager Mike Watkinson admits seamer Oliver Newby has been unlucky to miss out on the County Championship side in recent weeks.

The Blackburn-born bowler has seen first-team opportunities restricted this summer due to the availablity of England pace duo Sajid Mahmood and James Anderson.

Newby featured in the opening two Championship fixtures of 2007, and showed glimpses of his ability when taking impressive match figures of 4-57 against Surrey in early May.

But despite producing the goods, the former Read player immediately lost his first-team place and had since been limited to second-team games - until he was selected for Lancashire's current match at Durham.

Being drafted into the squad for the Riverside showdown looked to have given the 22-year-old the perfect platform to prove his credentials.

However, he acted as temporary cover for Anderson at Chester-le-Street, and managed to bowl just two overs on the second day before the England international returned from Old Trafford to resume his role.

Watkinson can fully understand Newby's frustration at being Lancashire's fall guy when England's big guns return.

"Oliver Newby had a great start to the season," said Watkinson. "But then Saj and Jimmy came back and he missed a couple of games, otherwise he would have been in the team.

"He's done everything that has been asked of him. He's attitude has been spot on and fair play to him.

"He's been really unlucky that through no fault of his own he's missed the last couple of games."

With the last two Friends Provident matches at Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire next up for Lancashire, and the Twenty20 Cup campaign starting later this month, Newby is looking to earn more one-day opportunities.

Newby said: "I'd like to play more. But I think that comes with consistency. I think if I show that I'm bowling consistently in the four-day game, that will give me a better chance to play in the one-day game."