SKIPPER Daryl Mitchell insists Worcestershire remain in the hunt for promotion from County Championship Division Two.

The New Road side face third-placed Leicestershire at Grace Road tomorrow (11am).

The County are fifth after five successive draws, 26 points behind leaders Essex and eight adrift of second-placed Kent.

But Mitchell says there are 11 league matches left and plenty of points available if the County can continue to reach high standards.

“It is frustrating not to have won yet but we have been playing particularly well and scoring a lot of runs,” said Mitchell.

“We have to be realistic and realise we have lost a lot of overs due to the poor weather.”

Worcestershire dominated their last Championship outing against Sussex after piling up a first-innings 491 at New Road.

Mitchell’s men shot out Sussex for 278 but the visitors showed stern resistance to reach 411-9 in their second innings.

“We kept Sussex at well under three runs an over in both innings but ran out of time to force the win,” said Mitchell.

“Our bowlers did superbly but got tired after putting in such big shifts and we were in the field for more than 240 overs, which I think is the longest stretch I have ever done.

“A lot of credit must go to Sussex for the way they batted in their second innings and they made it very hard for us to take the wickets we needed.”

Leicestershire have played one fewer game than Worcestershire with one win and three draws.

Led by ex-Glamorgan all-rounder Mark Cosgrove, they include the experienced Mark Pettini, Charlie Shreck and former Aussie international Clint McKay.

McKay, who played 59 one-day internationals and took a hat-trick against England at Cardiff in 2013, has snapped up 17 wickets at an average of 21.

Mitchell said: “Leicestershire have found it tough in recent seasons but have got some experience in Pettini, Cosgrove and McKay.

“They have had a good start and it will be a tough contest at Grace Road.”

The captain admits he hasn’t been looking too closely at the table and is optimistic they can challenge for the one promotion place on offer.

“There are still 11 games to go and there haven’t been many wins all round, but if we keep putting in the effort the results will come,” he said.

“They are all big games because it’s a very tight league with not many points between teams at the top and the bottom.

“There is a lot of cricket to be played and we will be trying to pick up as many points as we can.”