DURHAM will be happy to give Liam Plunkett the chance to get back on track this week after he was left out of the squad for the fourth Test starting at Riverside on Friday.

Plunkett didn't bowl on the final day at Old Trafford yesterday and, after taking only one wicket in the match, he could be available for Durham for at least the next few weeks.

As they have already booked a home semi-final in the Friends Provident Trophy tomorrow's final group game at Edgbaston is the ideal opportunity to start restoring Plunkett's confidence.

He played a big part with bat and ball in the home win against Lancashire in the 50-over competition early last month, and his availability would give Durham a chance to rest 38-year-old Ottis Gibson.

"There are one or two more who might fancy a rest after a very draining weekend," said coach Geoff Cook. "But we have to go all out to win at Edgbaston.

"The other semi-final place hinges on the result, and it's also important for us to keep our unbeaten run going. It could also give us a psychological advantage if we help Nottinghamshire into the semi-finals and then meet them in the final."

After losing by one wicket at Riverside on Sunday, Nottinghamshire can still go through if they beat Lancashire tomorrow and Durham win at Edgbaston. Otherwise Warwickshire will be the other qualifiers from the northern group.

Although six teams are still involved in the southern group, if leaders Hampshire win at home to Surrey tomorrow Durham's most likely semi-final visitors will be the winners of the Kent v Gloucestershire tie at Tunbridge Wells.

"It would be fantastic if our England players were available for the semi-final and we will be speaking to the ECB about it," said Cook.

"As it's our first semi-final it's a shame that it follows straight on from the Riverside Test because it could be overshadowed, but we are doing everything we can as a club to promote it and keep the interest going.

"Our celebrations only hit about six on the Richter Scale on Sunday because everyone is trying to stay as calm as possible. We had a one-day game which was all action following a climax to a four-day game where there was equal drama because of the inaction."

Durham batted for 101 overs on Saturday to hold out for a draw against Lancashire on 229 for nine, then scored 242 for nine to win the cup game with one of the 50 overs to spare with Gareth Breese making 68 not out.

"In the excitement of it all you can lose sight of the brilliance of Gareth's innings," said Cook.

"He looked very calm and positive when he first went in and when wickets started falling he took responsibility.

"He's a wholehearted cricketer who loves the game and appreciates the opportunities we have given him.

"He scored three of his fours on Sunday from the glide to fine leg off the front foot, which is a shot designed to combat yorkers at the end of the innings.

"It's pre-meditated but if it turns out to be a length ball you can get underneath it better.

"He got out playing it once earlier in the series, but we have seen him do it successfully before. It's a daring shot and requires a lot of skill."

Durham will take Callum Thorp with them to the Rose Bowl for the four-day match against Hampshire starting on Friday.

He was the match-winner there last season, but he is travelling this time purely to use the practice facilities during his rehabilitation from a back injury as he will not be able to work at Riverside during the Test.

Thorp should be ready to play by the time the Twenty20 Cup starts on June 22, while Gary Scott is also bowling again.