NEWCOMERS Andy Bichel and Anurag Singh will make their debuts for Worcestershire's in their opening County Championship Division Two match of the season which gets under way against Middlesex at Lord's tomorrow.

Both are included in a 12-strong squad which was announced by the County's new Director of Cricket Tom Moody today.

Australian pace star Bichel, who arrived at New Road last week, said: "The first game is special. It's at Lord's and that's somewhere I haven't played yet. I'm really looking forward to it and the whole challenge of county cricket."

Singh, the 25-year-old right-handed batsman, is gearing up for his first appearance for Worcestershire following a close season move from Warwickshire.

Moody said: "We are all looking forward to it.

"We have managed to get a little bit of pre-season practice out of it, but the guys are now keen to get some competitive cricket."

Opening batsman Phil Weston and paceman Alamgir Sheriyar are both included in the squad, but were both due to have fitness checks today.

Weston has a slight hamstring problem while Sheriyar has been affected by a stiff back. Moody, however, is optimistic that both will successfully come through their fitness tests.

The County start the new season with a number of injury worries.

Batsman Elliott Wilson, in particular, is looking like a long term casualty after having back surgery which may need further similar attention.

Pace bowlers Duncan Catterall and Kabir Ali are both battling to overcome stress fractures of the back with Catterall due to see a specialist today.

Kabir has been responding well to treatment and New Road officials are hopeful he will be available to play a full role in around four weeks.

Worcs (from): Weston, Singh, Hick, Solanki, Leatherdale, Pollard, Rhodes, Bichel, Lampitt, Rawnsley, Liptrot, Sheriyar.