DURHAM hope to have Shivnarine Chanderpaul back for their attempt to win the County Championship title in their final game against Kent at Canterbury next week.

Skipper Dale Benkenstein said: "Shiv would love to come back now that the West Indies are out of the World Twenty20 and we should know within the next couple of days.

"We need to make 400 runs to give ourselves a chance at Canterbury and it would be fantastic to have him in the side. We're hoping to have him back next year as well."

Durham coasted to a nine-wicket win against Sussex at Riverside yesterday, but their slow over-rate meant they will go into their final match a point further behind new leaders Lancashire than expected.

A gap of 8.5 as opposed to 7.5 makes little difference as the maximum of 22 points would take Durham above Lancashire if the Red Rose men failed to win at the Oval.

But as Durham remain 2.5 adrift of Sussex, who entertain bottom club Worcestershire, their chances of winning the title look remote.

The final programme starts on Wednesday and should the top three all lose, the winners of Yorkshire v Hampshire at Headingley could still win the title.

Durham are hoping Ottis Gibson will accept a coaching role with England in Sri Lanka this winter then return to play for another season. It is not clear whether Gibson is wanted for the one-day or Test series, but England coach Peter Moores is keen to involve him.

Gibson is also believed to be in the frame for the West Indies coaching job, but a role with England and a new one-year contract with Durham currently looks more likely.