WORCESTERSHIRE are today sweating on the result of a scan on Andrew Hall's back injury.

The problem has forced him out of the Frizzell County Championship Division One match with Gloucestershire which opens at New Road tomorrow.

The all-rounder was forced to leave the field during the County's 94 runs home defeat against Durham Dynamos in the totesport League Second Division yesterday.

New Road director of cricket Tom Moody described the injury as a spasm in the South African's lower back.

"It could keep him out for two days, two weeks or it could be two months, we don't know at this stage," said Moody.

Hall had an operation on his back earlier this year and only returned to New Road recently following action in his home country.

Paceman Andy Bichel is also a doubt for the Gloucestershire game due to a slight groin strain which restricted his bowling stint yesterday to just four overs.

He will have a fitness test tomorrow morning before the County finalise their side which will include Vikram Solanki.

The middle-order batsman has recovered from a badly dislocated finger suffered while fielding in a league match against Sussex Sharks on May 2.

County skipper Ben Smith also dislocated a finger while fielding yesterday but returned to bat later in the afternoon and will be fit to face Gloucestershire.

Spinner Gareth Batty will also be available after being omitted from the England squad for the first Test against New Zealand which opens at Lord's on Thursday.

Paceman Kabir Ali remains sidelined following an operation for a double hernia, but has made good progress and is expected to play in a second eleven game later this week.

Moody, meanwhile, is describing the game against Gloucestershire as 'critcial'.

Two defeats and a rain-hit draw have left the County 13 points adrift at the foot of the table with a game in hand over the sides immediately above them.

Moody said: "Gloucestershire have always been a good opponent for us and obviously there's local rivalry. But we need to get our game back on track and Gloucestershire at home will be a great chance for us to do so.

"Every game is a big game in the first division of Championship cricket and we need to approach it in that fashion.

"We've got a terrific record against Gloucestershire. We have done for a number of years and we hope to maintain that record."

Moody said he had full confidence in the New Road squad following their indifferent start to the campaign.

He said: "It's not a huge panic situation at the moment because it's a very long season. But we've got a good squad of players and I've got total confidence in them."