SURREY: Chris Schofield, the former England leg spinner whose most recent championship match was for Lancashire against Surrey two years ago, could be in the team to face Glamorgan at the Brit Oval today. Schofield, capped twice in 2000, gets the chance to resurrect his career because Anil Kumble and Ian Salisbury are injured.

ESSEX: The same XI that beat Surrey by an innings, as well as Ryan ten Doeschate and Graham Napier, travel to Worcester for the vital promotion match. Ronnie Irani, whose side have a five-point cushion, said: “You put all the effort in during pre-season to be involved in weeks like these come the end of the year.”

WORCESTERSHIRE: Matt Mason, the county’s Australian opening bowler, failed a fitness test on his knee on the eve of their showdown with Essex. Ray Price is left out, allowing Nadeem Malik back into the team with Roger Sillence. Zaheer Khan, who took nine wickets in an innings against Essex in June, is negotiating a new contract.

DERBYSHIRE: The county are without Michael Di Venuto and Graeme Welch for their match against Northamptonshire. Di Venuto (groin) and Welch (Achilles) are recovering well from their injuries but are not yet ready for a return. However, the county are able to include Steffan Jones and Graham Wagg after injury.

LEICESTERSHIRE: The first-team squad attended a civic reception last night at the town hall in Leicester in recognition of their Twenty20 Cup final victory. The players were invited by the mayor, who expressed his pride and delight at the achievement of a club whose budgets are among the lowest of the 18 first-class counties.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE: Shane Bond, the New Zealand fast bowler, is still a target for next season. The injury-prone Bond, 30, could not start his 2006 contract because of a knee injury and was not even registered because ECB rules say that an injured overseas player cannot be replaced. Barring a mishap, Hamish Marshall will return.

GLAMORGAN: Mark Cosgrove will play his last game of the season for Glamorgan at the Brit Oval, starting today, before joining Australia’s training camp. But Glamorgan may take back Matthew Elliott, 34, who recommended Cosgrove. Elliott has said that he is over his knee problems and would like to become the county’s batting coach.

SOMERSET: A recruitment office is to be built on the County Ground at Taunton as part of the £60 million development project that commences at the end of the season with the demolition of the Ridley Stand and the late John Arlott’s favourite commentary box. The old cinema seats in the Old Pavilion will be sold.

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE: Monty Panesar plays his second championship match in successive weeks at Derby today. The England spinner is interviewed in the county’s new free digital magazine, which was launched yesterday. Entitled Deep Cover, the fortnightly publication will include player interviews and game highlights.

TODAY'S FIXTURES
11.0, first day of four, 104 overs minimum

DERBY: Derbyshire v Northamptonshire

THE BRIT OVAL: Surrey v Glamorgan

WORCESTER: Worcestershire v Essex

FRIDAY
10.30, first day of four, 104 overs minimum

LEICESTER: Leicestershire v Somerset