WORCESTERSHIRE'S Liverpool Victoria County Championship and Pro40 promotion bids have been dealt a major blow by the news star batsman Phil Jaques will be returning to Australia at least once more before the end of the season.

Jaques, who returns from a five-week absence after playing for Australia `A' in the Top End Series to take on Glamorgan at Colwyn Bay on Wednesday, has now been summoned home to attend an Australia training camp from August 20 until September 2.

This fresh blow to the County will see their leading run-scorer miss up to four Pro40 games and two Championship games, including the crucial clash with third-placed Essex.

However, things could be worse still for director of cricket Steve Rhodes as rumours abound that Australia may organise a one-day series in September which, given his current form, is likely to involve Jaques.

The left-handed opener averaged more than 102 from his six first-class games since joining Worcestershire, amassing an incredible 921 runs in just 11 innings.

But New Road chief executive Mark Newton believes Lou Vincent's seemless transition into the dressing room will help to ease the blow.

Newton said: "We have been lucky enough to find Lou this season and he is an excellent character in the dressing room which has meant we have not had the same disruption we had last season with the comings and goings of overseas players.

"It has also been rumoured, and that is all it is at the moment, that Australia might organise a one-day series in September and if Phil is involved in that, we will ask Lou to cover again.

"This latest training camp and the Top End Series are things that have cropped up after we signed Phil, as we originally wanted two overseas players who would be available for the whole season.

"Phil's record for us is fantastic and his success has led to him being included in the Australia training squad. There is nothing we can do about it and we have to live with it."

Jaques has been in big-scoring form for Australia `A'.