GRAHAM Onions has emerged from the Riverside Test with an Achilles heel injury and is to have a scan today.

It is not believed to be related to the heel injury which spoilt his excellent start last season, ruling him out for six weeks.

Following his five-wicket haul on his Test debut at Lord’s, Onions was not quite so impressive at Riverside and bowled only six overs in the second innings.

Steve Harmison is also out of today’s final Friends Provident Trophy match at home to group winners Gloucestershire, which starts at 10.45.

His scan revealed no obvious damage, but past experience has taught him that shin soreness can lead to a stress fracture, so with nothing at stake today Durham will take the opportunity to rest him for a while.

Michael Di Venuto is still struggling with his groin injury, but Phil Mustard has recovered after being taken ill overnight prior to Friday’s win at The Oval.

The wicketkeeper will replace his deputy, Lee Goddard, in what is likely to be the only change, with all-rounder Ben Stokes being given another outing two weeks ahead of his 18th birthday.

“He has a lot of really exciting credentials,” said coach Geoff Cook. “We have played well in the last two games with a younger and more mobile team and are looking to build on that with the Twenty20 coming up.”

Today’s game will again pit the Gidman brothers against each other. In his first appearance against county opposition ten days ago, Will had Alex, the Gloucestershire captain, lbw with the sixth ball he bowled to him. It was a rare highlight for Durham in a 148- run thrashing they are anxious to avenge.

Former Yorkshire seamer Steve Kirby is missing from Gloucestershire’s team because of a damaged finger and is hoping a special splint will enable him to be ready for the quarter-finals.

Kirby also missed the home win against Durham and the visitors’ only change will see 23-year-old seamer Tom Stayt included at the expense of Kadeer Ali.

Gloucestershire are still not sure when and where their quarter-final will be played.

Their ground is not available on Saturday when the other three ties are due to be played because of the one-day international at Bristol the following day.

A decision will be made after the draw, depending on the opponents and their schedule.

Durham: W R Smith (capt), P Mustard, K J Coetzer, G J Muchall, D M Benkenstein, I D Blackwell, G R Breese, B A Stokes, W R S Gidman, L E Plunkett, M E Claydon.

Gloucestershire: W.Porterfield, H.Marshall, A.Gidman (capt), C.Spearman, C.Taylor, S.Adshead,, J.Franklin, V.Banerjee, J.Lewis, A.Ireland, T.Stayt, R.Woodman.

Anthony McGrath has told his players to go out of the Friends Provident Trophy with a bang against Surrey at the Oval today.

Yorkshire cannot qualify for the knockout stages, but that does not mean that captain will be taking things easy.

With five days to the start of their Twenty20 Cup North Division campaign, a home tie against Leicestershire at Headingley on Monday night, there is still a winning formula to be found.

“Although we are disappointed, we want to start our Twenty20 Cup campaign on Wednesday,” said skipper Mc- Grath.

“We want a win to take confidence into our preparations over the weekend.

“With Twenty20 being spilt by Championship games this year, it is important to win the first few 20-over games.

“We can’t have any hangovers.

We have still got Twenty20 and Pro40 to play for in one-day cricket, and we are looking for a marked improvement.

I still believe we are a good one-day side, but we have got to pick ourselves up.”

Wicketkeeper Simon Guy will replace thumb injury victim Gerard Brophy. Leg-spinner Adil Rashid could return, while rookie pace bowler James Lee may get an outing.