Richard Johnson loaned to Derbyshire

Warwickshire have allowed their 23-year-old wicketkeeper Richard Johnson to go to Derbyshire on a month's loan.

Derbyshire's first choice keeper, Tom Poynton, is out of action with an abdominal strain and, with an important Championship match against Yorkshire looming, Derbyshire were keen not to expose their reserve keeper, 20-year-old Chris Durham, too early in his career. Durham has played just one List A and one T20 game and is not a full member of the Derbyshire squad. He also has, at this stage of his career, few pretensions with the bat.

Derbyshire enjoyed an excellent start to the Championship campaign and currently top the Division Two table with Yorkshire in second

Johnson has developed through the Warwickshire youth system since the age of 10 and has been on the brink of the first team for several years. The return to form and fitness of Tim Ambrose has limited his opportunities, however, and Warwickshire feel he will benefit from more first team cricket.