ALAN Richardson is poised to make his first Worcestershire appearance in two months when Durham visit in the LV= County Championship Division One today.

The 37-year-old has not played since the draw against Surrey in May following a shoulder injury and being rested for the Friends Life t20 campaign.

But last season’s leading wicket-taker returns to the New Road side, along with fellow seamer Richard Jones, as the County seek to claw themselves up the table in the four-day arena.

Steve Rhodes’ men are six points above bottom side Durham, although they have a game in hand on today’s opponents.

“Those two will come back into it,” said Worcestershire’s director of cricket.

“Both of them have done well in Championship cricket for us so far so we’re hoping they will continue and they’ll both be fresh going forward into the game against Durham.”

He added: “Whoever Durham put out against us it will be tough opposition because, even though they are bottom of the championship, it’s an excellent squad.

“We’ve got to make sure that we turn up and not give them anything.”

Worcestershire (from): Mitchell, Hughes, Solanki, Moeen, Cameron, Pardoe, Andrew, Scott, Jones, Richardson, Shantry, Lucas.

The County’s Friends Life t20 quarter-final against Yorkshire at Headingley Carnegie will take place on Wednesday, July 25 (4.15pm).