Mike Watkinson has spoken of his frustration over next summer's congested fixture timetable - insisting it could scupper Lancashire's chances of silverware.

With more fixtures set in 2008 for domestic cricket's two limited-overs competitions, the Friends Provident Trophy and Twenty20 Cup, it means fewer rest days through the season for the more succesful sides.

And Watkinson, cricket manager at Lancashire, fears the Red Rose county will bear the brunt of a tightly-packed fixture calendar if his side make it through to the final of both competitions.

The Friends Provident Trophy final is held at Lord's on Saturday, August 16, which immediately follows Lancashire's Championship match at home to Yorkshire.

Likewise, the Twenty20 finals day held at Hampshire's Rose Bowl also follows another four-day clash at Old Trafford, ironically against Hampshire.

Watkinson believes the pressures of such a busy schedule are taking their toll on players - and he insists more rest days are needed.

"It's a long season," said the former Lancashire and England all-rounder. "It's at least a month longer than league cricket.

"We start on April 16 all the way to September 27 and that's a very intense season.

"It means rest days are limited and the quality of coaching time is limited.

"You've got to get the right balance between what's right for cricket and supporters, and quality of play.

"During the first four or five weeks of the season, we have a four-day Championship match and a 50-over game straight on the back of it.

"If you are getting on a coach to the other end of the country, for a game that starts at 10.45am, that's really tough and very demanding on players.

"I really hope we get to the Lord's and Twenty20 final. But look at the fixtures leading up to it.

"With the FPT final, we are playing nine out of 10 days at Old Trafford before travelling down to Lord's the next day.

"And in the Twenty20 finals, we will have played a Championship match here, before going down to Southampton to play the next morning. It's just a big ask for what are showpiece games."

Despite the busy summer ahead, Watkinson is confident Lancashire can mount a serious challenge for silverware on all fronts.

The County Championship, which Lancashire last won outright in 1934, is the trophy most coveted.

But Watkinson is expecting a tough challenge in Division One, especially from title holders Sussex.

He added: "Sussex are a side that, irrespective of the squad, play very competitive cricket.

"They have been strengthening like most teams, so I'd be surprised if they weren't competitive next year.

"But the County Championship is a very fickle competition.

"With two promoted and two relegated, you only have to go a few games without winning and you are suddenly staring at the other end of the division, as well as the top end."