WORCESTERSHIRE Royals begin their fight for Norwich Union National League Division One survival when they visit fellow relegation candidates Leicestershire Foxes in a floodlit clash tomorrow.

"It's a massive match for us," said New Road coach Bill Athey today.

Former table-toppers Worcestershire have plunged into relegation trouble after a dismal run of results.

The last time they triumphed in the competition was on June 24 when they beat Somerset Sabres by four runs at Taunton.

Since then they have had two weather-hit no results and five defeats. If they lose tomorrow they will tumble into the bottom three relegation area, but victory will guarantee their safety.

Worcestershire are currently one place above the dropzone, two points better off than Sussex Sharks and Leicestershire. Sussex, however, have played one more match than the County. Lancashire Lightning continue to occupy bottom place.

Athey said: "This is a big one for us tomorrow. Having been able to win the league we now have to win games to stay in the division.

"The two divisions in both the National League and the County Championship makes for interesting stuff. It ap-pears to be working very well with the competitiveness carrying on to the end of the season."

Worcestershire will be checking on the fitness of Paul Pollard and Matthew Rawnsley who both missed last Sunday's damaging two-wicket home defeat against Lancashire because of injury. Batsman Pollard has trouble with split finger webbing while spinner Rawnsley has a toe injury.

Paceman Alamgir Sheriyar returns to the side in place of Chris Liptrot. The team will again be captained by Steve Rhodes with Graeme Hick again unavailable under his ECB central contract.

In the first league match between the two sides at New Road on July 2 the County were grateful for a determined innings from Illingworth before they were rescued by a thunderstorm when facing possible defeat. The Worcestershire spinner made 30 in a recovery from 41-6 to a total of 108-8 in 38 overs.

The rain then prevented Leicestershire from chasing a winning target of 118.

Worcestershire (from): Weston, Pipe, Solanki, Leatherdale, Driver, Wilson, Rhodes, Lampitt, Illingworth, McGrath, Pollard, Rawnsley and Sheriyar.