Somerset look likely to give young spinner Jack Leach a County Championship debut in the Division One game against Lancashire, starting at Liverpool today.
The 21-year-old slow left-armer played in the two-day match with South Africa a few weeks ago and took the wicket of Hashim Amla.
Taunton-born Leach, who has also played for Cardiff MCCU and Dorset, is the main spin option in a 12-man Somerset squad after Max Waller was ruled out by a back injury. Somerset skipper Marcus Trescothick said: "Jack played against South Africa and did okay and he also played in the second-team game against Essex the other week that I played in. We want to give him an opportunity to show what he can do in the County Championship.
"We played at Liverpool last year and got well beaten. It was a pretty good wicket, which had quite a spongey bounce and which helped the spinners towards the end of the game."
Alex Barrow was not considered for selection after his collision with an advertising boarding during Sunday's Clydesdale Bank 40 victory over Glamorgan at Taunton, which resulted in the young batsman requiring hospital treatment.
Craig Meschede also had to visit Musgrove Park Hospital on Sunday after he suffered a finger injury. He is due to see a specialist today.
Better news for Somerset was Steve Kirby's return from injury against Glamorgan. The former Gloucestershire strike bowler is likely to form a four-man pace attack against Lancashire, which will also feature Gemaal Hussain, Alfonso Thomas and Pete Trego.
Third-placed Somerset will be looking to follow up last week's thrilling four-day success over Warwickshire with victory over last season's champions, who are seventh and battling against relegation.
Somerset are 17 points behind Warwickshire and Nottinghamshire, but hold a game in hand over the latter.
Somerset (from): M Trescothick (capt), A Suppiah, N Compton, J Hildreth, C Kieswetter, J Buttler, P Trego, A Thomas, G Hussain, S Kirby, J Leach, L Gregory.
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