KEY bowler Alan Richardson failed a late fitness test on his shoulder injury and misses today’s LV= County Championship Division One encounter with Somerset at New Road (11am).

Last year’s top-flight leading wicket-taker was sidelined for three weeks after suffering a shoulder tear just nine balls into the second innings of the home Championship draw with Surrey and hasn’t played since.

Director of cricket Steve Rhodes was hoping to have his talismanic seamer available to face Somerset, but he is not quite ready so won’t be risked.

Rhodes said: “It is always a big blow when Alan doesn’t play for us, but it gives an opportunity to one of the other bowlers to pick up the reins.

“Jack Shantry bowled an excellent spell of nine overs of 3-10 in the Championship game with Sussex, so he very much warrants his chance.

“One of Shaaiq Choudhry, Nick Harrison or Chris Russell will come in to fill the 12th man spot.”

Meanwhile, there is still no place in the squad for Alexei Kervezee, despite the Dutchman finding some much-needed form with 156 in the County seconds’ resounding win over Derbyshire, but James Cameron returns to the side after recovering from a cortisone injection in his knee.

Rhodes added: “Alexei is still not in the squad, but it would have been tough to leave Matt Pardoe out after the way he has played recently.

“James needed a small rest after having an injection in his knee, but he is fine now and will play.”

As an aside to the game, Somerset’s Nick Compton has until the close of play tomorrow to score 59 runs and become the first batsman to manage 1,000 before the end of May since Worcestershire legend Graeme Hick achieved the feat back in 1988.

Rhodes is eager for his second-from-bottom side to pick up their first four-day win of the season against the high-flying West Country outfit, but insists his players are not feeling pressured by their league position.

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