YORKSHIRE have had to omit Australian left-hander Matthew Elliott from their Championship curtain-raiser against Northamptonshire at Headingley today because of a knee strain.

But the good news for Yorkshire as they embark on their mission to achieve instant promotion is that Darren Gough is back in the side and raring to go after his long-standing knee problems.

Elliott, who arrived in England last week, suffered a slight strain behind his right knee a few days ago and failed a fitness test yesterday morning.

"It is very sad because we desperately wanted to start off with our strongest possible side, but in the end we decided that playing Elliott could do him more harm than good," said Yorkshire's Director of Cricket Geoff Cope.

"After this game, we only have one day's competitive cricket until April 30 when we play Hampshire at the Rose Bowl in the Championship and the feeling is that if Elliott rests up now he should be fully fit by then.

"Under the club's new policy, Elliott is now entirely under the care of physiotherapist Scott McAllister and he will tell us when he believes Elliott is ready to play."

Already without Craig White, who is recovering from a rib operation, Yorkshire will be considerably weakened by the loss of Elliott, who hit 487 Championship runs in five matches when he joined the county late last season.

But with all the other batsmen in excellent form, plus the rare luxury of having their England fast bowling pair of Gough and Matthew Hoggard in the side together, Yorkshire should still have enough power to overcome Northants.

The last time Gough played in a full Championship match was in the Roses clash in late July, 2001, which was also the last time Yorkshire won a game in the competition at Headingley.

New captain Anthony McGrath has to decide whether to bring in England off-spinner Richard Dawson or go with an all-seam attack.

Gavin Hamilton and Steve Kirby will both have to wait for their chance, as will young wicketkeeper Simon Guy.

Northants, who have taken on former Australia and South Africa batsman Kepler Wessels as coach, are also without their free-scoring Australian batsman and captain Mike Hussey, who does not arrive until next week.

But they are able to play their new South African signing Andre Nel, who arrived earlier than expected after being sent home from South Africa's A tour of Australia following drinking allegations.

Yorkshire from: Wood, Taylor, Richardson, McGrath (captain), Lumb, Blakey, Fellows, Silverwood, Gough, Sidebottom, Hoggard, Dawson, Bresnan.

Northants from: White, Powell, Jaques, Cook, Sales (captain), Swann, Brophy, Bailey, Phillips, Anderson, Nell, Panesar, Paynter.