Nottinghamshire are set to be strengthened by England all-rounder Stuart Broad, who is available for their opening LV County Championship match against Worcestershire on Tuesday.

The 22-year-old has had three weeks rest since returning home from England’s tour of the Caribbean and with the ECB keen to keep him fit and fresh for a long summer of international cricket, Broad’s appearances for Notts will be few and far between.

The Worcestershire game is Broad’s only match before the start of the Test series against the West Indies on May 6, and Director of Cricket Mick Newell is delighted to see him in action.

Said Newell: “It’s great to have Stuart available and even more so that it’s for a home game, giving him the chance to play at Trent Bridge and in front of the home supporters.

“He deserved a break after a long winter and to be honest, I thought he would be available for next week’s match at Old Trafford rather than this.

“It strengthens the team but does mean someone will be unlucky to miss out after what was about as good an early season performance as you can get against Leicestershire.”