WORCESTERSHIRE Royals head into tonight’s Friends Life t20 derby clash with Warwickshire Bears at New Road (5.30pm) knowing that they have to win if they are to keep their quarter-final chances alive.

Three consecutive defeats for Steve Rhodes’ side have allowed both Lancashire Lightning and Derbyshire Falcons to gain ground on the County in North group.

While Worcestershire are currently clinging to the coveted fourth spot, both Lightning, who are not in action until Sunday, and Falcons have at least one game in hand on the Royals with only a point separating the three teams.

New Road director of cricket Rhodes will be looking for a much-improved performance this evening after being left angry at the manner in which his team snatched a 10-run defeat from the jaws of victory against Nottinghamshire Outlaws on Tuesday night.

The County chief laid the blame for that loss squarely at the feet of Shakib Al Hasan and Alexei Kervezee following the manner of their dismissals with both batsmen set and Worcestershire seemingly coasting to victory.

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib has had a torrid time with the bat for the Royals coming in at four and is averaging just 7.6 in 10 matches — his top-score of 20 coming on Tuesday.

However, the 24-year-old slow left-arm spinner is currently the County’s joint leading wicket-taker, alongside Gareth Andrew, with his 17 victims costing 15 apiece.

Worcestershire go into this derby match without talented teenager Aneesh Kapil after he joined up with the England Under 19s yesterday ahead of their one-day series against South Africa.

With Kapil unavailable for the Royals, Rhodes may opt to recall slow left-arm spinner Shaaiq Choudhry, who also has a top score of 26 not out with the bat, or seamer Chris Whelan, who claimed t20 best bowling figures of 4-21 this term.

The Royals chief is also hoping opener Vikram Solanki will be fit to face the Bears after the 35-year-old sat out the Outlaws defeat with a hamstring problem.

The former England international was replaced by 20-year-old Jack Manuel in Tuesday’s game and his 19-ball 21 helped the New Road side put on 69 in just over eight overs for the opening wicket with Moeen Ali.

Worcestershire are looking to complete the double over the Bears following there dramatic one-wicket victory at Edgbaston last month.

Andrew hit an unbeaten 65, including a six to win the game, in near darkness.

While the game at New Road is not a sell-out, Wor-cestershire have said there will only be a limited number of tickets available ahead of the match.

Worcestershire (from): Moeen, Solanki, Kervezee, Sha-kib, Cameron, Mitchell (capt), Andrew, Scott (wkt), Choudhry, Ajmal, Shantry, Whelan, Manuel.