Ryan Sidebottom is expected to line up for the Notts Outlaws when they take on Lancashire Lightning in the NatWest Pro40 this weekend.

The England seamer has missed the first four NatWest Series One-day Internationals against India with a side strain and has been given the go-ahead to play on Sunday as part of his rehabilitation programme, fitness permitting.

Sidebottom’s return will be a big boost for Notts, who are looking to keep the pressure on Division One leaders Worcestershire while their bowling resources are again stretched by injury.

Mark Davies has returned to Durham after collecting career-best bowling figures in his only appearance on loan before suffering a hamstring strain, while Mark Ealham will not be available for at least two weeks after he also tweaked a hamstring.

AJ Harris is resting his sore back with a view to playing against Derbyshire in the LV County Championship next week, and Mark Footitt is still recovering from a back problem.

Notts lie in second place in Pro40 with two games left to play, while Lancashire have a game in hand and would go level on points with Notts if they won.

But wicketkeeper Chris Read is confident the Outlaws can get another victory with the help of Graeme Swann, whose form in all competitions this season has put the all-rounder in the frame for a recall to England colours seven years after he toured South Africa.

Said Read: “Graeme has been terrific for us. On the county circuit he’s been up there for years as a spinner in one-day cricket, but he’s really been performing with the bat at the top of the order.

“His Championship form has also been exceptional and he’s been playing some excellent cricket.”

Squad:
Swann, Jefferson, Fleming (capt), Wagh, Patel, Shafayat, Read (wkt), Adams, Franks, Clough, Ferley, Shreck, Sidebottom.