Butcher returns for Surrey as Thorpe misses out

Leicestershire v Essex, Grace Road Brad Hodge is set to make his championship debut for Leicestershire after returning from international duty with Australia A, and a first outing of the season is also in prospect for Devon Malcolm, who was overlooked for last week's draw against Kent, but is included in a 13-man squad. Essex will be without Andrew McGarry, who is still troubled by a side strain.

Surrey v Warwickshire, The Oval One international sent to the bench, another promoted to the starting line-up - Surrey have taken another leaf out of Manchester United's book, as Mark Butcher plays his first match of the season ... at the expense of Graham Thorpe. Rikki Clarke, who made a match-saving century against Lancashire last week, has also been excluded, as Martin Bicknell and Alec Stewart take their places for the first time this season. Warwickshire's Australian seamer Michael Clark is expected to pass a late fitness test on his injured groin, although their captain, Michael Powell, misses out again with a broken toe.

Sussex v Kent, Hove With no injury worries, Sussex are expected to name an unchanged side, despite their nail-biting three-wicket defeat against Middlesex last week. Mushtaq Ahmed is expected to play a more prominent role after recovering from the finger infection which hampered his bowling at Lord's. Kent's David Fulton and Min Patel remain sidelined following eye and back operations respectively.

Derbyshire v Somerset, Derby Derbyshire welcome back Michael Di Venuto, Chris Bassano, Mohammad Ali and Kevin Dean, all of whom sat out the three-day game against Bradford/Leeds UCCE last week. Somerset are boosted by the presence of Marcus Trescothick and Andy Caddick, after they were cleared to play by the ECB. However, their fellow international Ian Blackwell is unavailable after splitting the webbing on a hand against Gloucestershire.

Durham v Gloucestershire, Chester-le-Street Durham's South African seamer Dewald Pretorius is set to make his championship debut after picking up four wickets in Sunday's National League victory over Somerset. Gloucestershire are boosted by the return of Mike Smith and Jon Lewis after injury, but with a Durham greentop in prospect, Martyn Ball has been dropped in favour of Mark Hardinges, despite taking seven wickets against Northamptonshire.

Hampshire v Yorkshire, Southampton Simon Katich is set to make his Hampshire debut against former club Yorkshire, after completing his international duty with Australia A. Ed Giddins is doubtful with bruised ribs, although Chris Tremlett has made a full recovery from sore shins. Yorkshire have lost Matthew Elliott to a knee injury, but they have received ample compensation in the return of Michael Vaughan, who has been cleared to play by the ECB. Matthew Hoggard and Craig White both miss out, however.

Worcestershire v Northamptonshire, Worcester Graeme Hick, Nantie Hayward, Kabir Ali, Steve Rhodes and David Leatherdale all return to the Worcestershire side after missing last week's three-day game against Oxford UCCE. Mike Hussey plays his first championship game of the season for Northants, despite David Paynter's half-century against Gloucestershire. Ricky Anderson makes way for Ben Phillips, while John Blain replaces Graeme Swann, who has an ankle injury.