DURHAM paceman Melvyn Betts will be out for two to three weeks following a minor operation on his latest knee injury.

He will miss what could be the relegation decider against Kent at the Riverside, starting on Wednesday, and the following week's trip to Taunton.

It will be touch and go whether he is fit for the visit to Derby, starting on August 22, after which the only remaining games are at home to Hampshire and away to Surrey.

It's a big blow for Durham as Betts was back to top form a few weeks ago, taking seven for 30 against Derbyshire at Darlington.

He was beginning to look like a potential England bowler again, even though he has had a slight problem with his right knee all season.

That was what forced him to miss the match at Old Trafford, but it was the left knee which swelled up after he bowled 12 overs against Somerset last Saturday, and he was able to take no further part.

Steve Harmison came through his outing with the second team this week with no reaction from his troublesome shins.

But the fact that he took no wickets, while Ian Hunter had seven, could complicate selection for the visit of Kent.

Hunter is in the squad for the National League match at Cardiff tomorrow, along with four others who will head straight off for Southampton afterwards.

Nicky Peng, Andrew and Gary Pratt, plus Nicky Phillips are likely to be in the second team for the AON Trophy semi-final against Hampshire on Monday.

Durham will field a similar line-up in Cardiff to the one which comfortably beat Warwickshire in their last Sunday outing, except that either Peng or Gary Pratt will take over from Martin Speight, who has tweaked a hamstring.

Durham (from): N J Speak (capt), J J B Lewis, M A Gough, S M Katich, P D Collingwood, N Peng, G Pratt, A Pratt, N C Phillips, J Wood, I D Hunter, N Killeen.