GEORGE Rhodes will return to the Worcestershire side for the Specsavers County Championship clash with Northamptonshire at New Road beginning tomorrow (11am start).

Rhodes scored a maiden Championship half-century on his previous appearance when featuring as an opener - a role he occupies in the second eleven - against Kent at Canterbury in place of the injured Brett D'Oliveira.

The all-rounder did not play in the home clash against Glamorgan and instead scored 131 for the Seconds in the one-day friendly against the North Staffs-South Cheshire League at Longton, Stoke on Trent.

But he is back against the newly-crowned NatWest T20 Blast holders in place of Tom Kohler-Cadmore in the one change from the side beaten by five wickets by Glamorgan.

His inclusion increases the County's bowling options as a second spinner alongside D'Oliveira in addition to the four front-line seamers.

The Worcestershire players returned to full scale practice today (Monday) after a few days off to recharge their batteries after a heavy schedule of cricket during the past two months.

Vice-captain Joe Leach needs just two more wickets to reach the half century mark in the Championship for the second successive season.

Director of cricket Steve Rhodes is looking for his players to try and stamp their authority on the game against Northants - whom they defeated at Wantage Road last month - from ball one.

He wants to avoid a repeat of the Glamorgan game where the County ended up having to play catch-up after being 37-5 on the first morning.

WORCESTERSHIRE Mitchell D'Oliveira Fell Clarke Rhodes Whiteley Cox Leach Barnard Shantry Morris