Nottinghamshire could line up with their first-choice seam attack for the first time this season as they chase victory over Ireland in the Friends Provident Trophy.

Director of Cricket Mick Newell has named both Darren Pattinson and Charlie Shreck in his 14-man squad for the trip to Dublin, while Ryan Sidebottom is also available before the start of the NatWest Series with West Indies.

Pattinson passed a fitness test after playing for the Second XI at the start of the week as a batsman, while Shreck has been steadily regaining match fitness with the Seconds following knee surgery in the winter.

Newell said: “We need to get Darren out on the field as soon as we can and a 50-over game is the next step in his recovery. He bowled in the nets without a problem after playing for the Seconds, so it’s the right time to bring him back into the squad.

“England want Ryan to play as much cricket as possible before the start of the one-day series, and so far he’s only played the single match against Hampshire. It helps us to have him available and helps him to get more overs under his belt.”

Jason Brown is also fit to travel after recovering from a stiff back and will provide the spin option with Graeme Swann on England duty.

The Outlaws go into the fixture knowing a win is crucial to stay in touch with Group A leaders Worcestershire and Hampshire, who have both played a game more.

All-rounder Mark Ealham acknowledged that the batting will need to improve following the early collapse at Southampton on Tuesday, but does not expect the team to panic in pursuit of a quarter-final place.

He said: “You’ve got to play well throughout the group stages to reach the knock-out stages and we know we will have to tough it out with these last three games.

“Things didn’t go our way against Hampshire but we won’t be looking to make any big changes to our tactics. It’s rare that all of your batsmen with the licence to attack get out with their first big shot, which is what happened at the Rose Bowl.

“The emphasis is on us not to panic, but continue to back ourselves and have the confidence to still be aggressive and positive.”

Squad to face Ireland:
Ali Brown, Mark Wagh, Alex Hales, Samit Patel, Adam Voges, Will Jefferson, Chris Read (capt/wkt), Paul Franks, Mark Ealham, Darren Pattinson, Ryan Sidebottom, Luke Fletcher, Jason Brown, Charlie Shreck.