GLENN McGrath's return will give Worcestershire Royals a huge boost for tomorrow's crucial National League Division One clash with Kent Spitfires at Canterbury (1pm).

The Australian paceman, back from a one-day series against South Africa, will spearhead the County attack in a game they must win to revive their flagging title hopes.

It will be his first County appearance since a seven-wicket defeat against Northamptonshire at the start of the month.

Skipper Graeme Hick has also been cleared to play. He had been due to sit out tomorrow's game after the England and Wales Cricket Board ruled he could only play five days' cricket out of six between the fourth and fifth Test matches against the West Indies.

But with the County Championship clash with Warwickshire finishing a day early, he can now turn out.

Opening batsman Paul Pollard is the County's only doubt. He split the webbing on his hand trying to take a catch against Warwickshire and required stitches.

Elliott Wilson and spinner Richard Illingworth, as well as McGrath, are added to the squad but there is no place for paceman Alamgir Sheriyar.

The County dropped from first place to fourth after defeat to new leaders Somerset last week, although they are only two points behind.

Coach Bill Athey said they must get back to winning ways straight away after going five matches without a win.

"We need to be right on the ball from now until the end of the season. We just haven't quite played well enough in recent weeks.

"We haven't bowled or batted well enough and have paid the price. There have been one or two good performances but not enough of the players have performed well at the same time.

"If we have a very good run we can still win it, fingers crossed."

Worcestershire (from): Pollard, Weston, Hick, Solanki, Leatherdale, Pipe, Rhodes, Lampitt, Illingworth, Liptrot, McGrath, Rawnsley, Wilson.

Meanwhile, Kabir Ali will miss the chance to represent England u19s on his home ground.

The Worcestershire paceman has a back injury and will sit out the third and final Test against Sri Lanka, which starts at New Road on Tuesday.

But his cousin Kadeer Ali is poised to figure in the match, which will decide the series after the tourists won at Northampton this week to level the series at 1-1.

Play begins at 11am each day and admission is free.