WORCESTERSHIRE face bitter rivals Gloucestershire tomorrow for the first time since their controversial NatWest Trophy replay with a rallying call from New Road coach Bill Athey.

"We've got to fight like hell to stay at the top," he said as the County prepare to head for Cheltenham College with a six-point lead in Division One of the National League.

Worcestershire were forced by Lord's to replay their NatWest Trophy third round clash with holders Gloucestershire because the County fielded ineligible paceman Kabir Ali in the original match.

Athey's men won the first game by three wickets, but then lost last week's tense replay by five runs.

He said: "There is a little bit more edge to the match tomorrow because of what happened in the NatWest Trophy, but to be honest we are top of the table and every game we play is a massive one.

"I think the edge against Gloucestershire will be there for a few seasons maybe, but we won't be able to put any more into this match than we have in our other games against them this season.

"We have struggled a little bit over the last couple of weeks, but Cheltenham College is a lovely wicket -- a quick scoring ground -- so there's every chance of our batters coming good.

"It's a vital part of the season for us at the moment. We've just got to hang on in there and we'll get our two England players back at some stage, so we've got a good chance."

Worcestershire expect to have spinner Richard Illingworth back in action after a thigh injury.

Athey said: "Illy is obviously one of our best one-day bowlers with loads of experience with the bat late in the order as well."

As well as the two NatWest Trophy matches Worcestershire have locked horns with Gloucestershire on three other occasions this season.

Their Benson and Hedges Cup group match was ruined by rain while their National League clash at New Road last month ended in a 21-run win for Worcestershire.

The Championship encounter between the two sides at Bristol resulted in a rain abandoned draw.

Worcs (from): Weston, Wilson, Pollard, Leatherdale, Driver, Kadeer Ali, Rhodes, Lampitt, Rawnsley, Kabir Ali, McGrath, Illingworth, Catterall.