GRAEME Hick and Paul Pollard return for Worcestershire's County Championship Division Two match against Gloucestershire which opens at Bristol tomorrow.

Captain Hick is back after his century-making exploits for England against Zimbabwe at Lord's while opener Pollard is expected to have recovered from injury.

Making way for their return will be batsman Ryan Driver and paceman Kabir Ali.

Pollard missed the Championship triumph over Sussex at Hove because of tendinitis in his right wrist and forearm.

He has had an injection and regular treatment and is optimistic about being ready for the trip to Bristol. New Road coach Bill Athey said today: "Hopefully he'll be okay. He's pretty confident he will."

Batsman Philip Weston and all-rounder Gavin Haynes, meanwhile, are continuing on the road to recovery following knee operations.

Weston is hoping to play in a second eleven match next week while no date has yet been fixed for Haynes' return to action.

Unbeaten Worcestershire will be bidding to secure their third Championship win on the trot following their seven wicket victory over Sussex yesterday which lifted them into second place in the table, four points behind rivals Warwickshire.

The County were originally due to have started their match with Gloucestershire on Wednesday, but the game was brought forward a day.

New Road secretary Mike Vockins explained: "We were asked by Gloucestershire to assist with fixture re-arrangements arising from their home draw in the Benson and Hedges Cup semi-final which immediately follows our Championship game."