WORLD-class pace rivals Glenn McGrath and Shoaib Akhtar are on course for a head to head confrontation when Worcestershire take on Nottinghamshire in their County Championship Division Two match which opens at Trent Bridge tomorrow.

Pakistan ace Shoaib is set to make his long awaited debut for Notts if he passes a fitness test on a side strain.

New Road coach Bill Athey said today: "He's a very high quality player, but he hasn't bowled for a while so he might not be in rhythm. We'll just have to wait and see."

Shoaib, whose quickest ball has been timed at 97.5mph, sustained his injury while on duty for Pakistan in the West Indies.

A decision on whether he will be able to make his debut will be made tomorrow morning.

Worcestershire have named a 13-strong squad and will make their final selection after a check on paceman Alamgir Sheriyar's fitness.

He has missed his side's last two matches because of an injury to his left knee which he picked up in training during the recent County Championship game with Gloucestershire at Bristol.

Batsman Reuben Spiring misses out because of his troublesome right knee with Ryan Driver keeping his place in the squad after hitting a career-best 47 in the three-day draw against the West Indies.

David Leatherdale returns to the side following his absence from the tour match after dislocating the little finger on his right hand during fielding practice last Thursday.

Philip Weston comes into contention for his first Championship game of the campaign. He made his first appearance this term in the match with the West Indies after recovering from a knee operation.

The County, with Graeme Hick back to lead the side following his England Test duty against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge, go into their Notts encounter in second place in the table, four points behind Warwickshire.

They have a game in hand, however, over their arch Edgbaston rivals.

Notts are still searching for their first Championship victory of the season and are currently in sixth spot.

Worcs (from): Weston, Wilson, Pollard, Hick (capt.), Solanki, Leatherdale, Driver, Rhodes, Lampitt, Illingworth, Kabir Ali, McGrath, Sheriyar.