Mick Newell has warned his Nottinghamshire players not to expect an easy ride against Ireland in the Friends Provident Trophy.

Notts were given a mighty scare by the same opposition at Trent Bridge last year, with Notts eventually winning by just one run.

Newell does not want a repeat and while England call-ups mean the Director of Cricket has had to make a number of changes to the squad, he expects the team to be unaffected by the unavailability of Ryan Sidebottom, Stuart Broad, Samit Patel and Graeme Swann.

Said Newell: "We want to keep our good run of performances going and early wins in the competition will ease the pressure later on.

"There's no question that Ireland will beat county sides. They are improving all the time and playing more and more competitive cricket. We have to make sure we are not one of those counties that are beaten.

"We've lost the England players but everyone in the squad has had the chance to get match practice this week, as the Second XI had four days of cricket.

"We should have players coming into the team who are ready to perform."

Will Jefferson is expected to make his first start of the season after recovering from a hamstring strain with useful runs for the Second XI, while Jason Brown will provide the spin option in the absence of Patel and Swann.

The game should proved to be a great day for all the family, with Family Tickets for two adults and two under-16s reduced to just £26 and plenty of activities around the ground to keep everyone entertained.
 
These include access to indoor cricket coaching sessions, a crèche, a selection of live animals from White Post Farm, face painting and a bouncy castle.
 
The Nottingham Irish Centre will also be providing a number of dancers and musicians to make sure the day goes with a swing.

The match begins at 10.45am, with individual adult tickets costing £13 and tickets for under-16s, senior citizens and students costing £7.
 Tickets can be bought from the Trent Bridge Ticket Office on 0870 168 8888, online or at the ground on the day.

Squad to face Ireland:

Ali Brown, Wagh, Hales, Jefferson, Voges, Read (capt/wkt) Shafayat, Franks, Adams, Ealham, Fletcher, Jason Brown.