Johnson expects to return for the Sabres at Edgbaston on June 9th

Somerset fast bowler Richard Johnson, who has been missing from the scene for several weeks through injury,is looking well set to make his first team return for the county in their next NUL Division One National League match against Warwickshire on Sunday June 9th.

When I spoke to Richard at the County Ground he told me: "I'm very hopeful for the game at Edgbaston on June 9th, and the way that my recovery programme is progressing I can't see any reason why I won't be playing."

The former Middlesex man, who was the leading county championship wicket taker for the Cidermen in 2001 continued: "I'm bowling two times everyday in the nets and now I am incorporating some longer spells. Everything is geared up for me to return at Edgbaston.

Meanwhile Somerset chief executive Peter Anderson has confirmed that Somerset will play Hampshire in the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy on Wednesday June 19th at the County Ground.

The Somerset boss told me earlier today: "We were relieved to win our match against the Yorkshire Board XI, which was a potential banana skin for us, to earn a home tie with Hampshire in the next round which will be played on June 19th. Lets hope that what happened at this stage of the competition in 2001 happens again this year and that we can get back to our winning one day form."