TOM Moody today issued a rallying call to his Worcestershire players as their Frizzell Championship Division Two promotion battle heads for a make-or-break match against Derbyshire at New Road tomorrow.

"There is still a glimmer of hope," said the County's Director of Cricket.

Worcestershire go into the game knowing they have to win to stand any chance of booking a place in the First Division.

They must also hope third-placed Nottinghamshire slip up badly against Essex at Chelmsford.

The County, however, have been told they can expect 'fair play' by their rivals in the race to secure the last two promotion places.

The England and Wales Cricket Board were due to decide today whether to appoint a match referee for the Chelmsford showdown.

Alan Fordham, the operations manager for first-class cricket, confirmed that the Board had noted that a high-scoring draw could satisfy the ambitions of both sides and see off the County's challenge.

He said: "Our criteria for appointing a match referee is the mutual convenience of a result. Essex v Notts appears to be one which may have the mutually convenient option."

If the County were to take 20 points from their match with Derbyshire, Essex would need one point and Notts eight to be sure of promotion.

This is virtually a formality for Essex, but the 'mutual convenience' factor is that they require ten points to pip Middlesex for the divisional title.

The County can only close their eyes to what's happening at Chelmsford and concentrate on trying to complete a seasonal 'double' over Derbyshire.

Moody said: "We are looking to go out and do what we have done in every game this season and that's to win. Obviously, we have still got a glimmer of hope and that it's not all completely lost. Obviously, the Notts v Essex game is out of our hands."

The County are likely to be without wicketkeeper Steve Rhodes as the odds are stacked against him to pass a fitness test on a thigh injury. James Pipe is set to take his place behind the stumps.

Worcestershire (from): Peters, Singh, Hick, Smith, Solanki, Leatherdale, Batty, Rhodes, Pipe, Kabir Ali, Mason, Sheriyar.