All-rounder Mark Ealham has been ruled out for Nottinghamshire’s crucial LV County Championship match with fellow promotion-chasers Middlesex with a recurrence of his hamstring injury.

The 37-year-old had got through 28.5 overs of bowling in the Championship clash with Northamptonshire when he pulled up with the problem.

He finished the over after trying to run it off, but then left the field for treatment - only 10 minutes after on-loan seamer Mark Davies had also returned to the dressing room with a similar injury.

Director of Cricket Mick Newell said: “Both of the lads have got hamstring strains and won’t be playing for quite some time.

“We will have a look at the extent of Davies’ injury but we might well decide to let him go back to Durham and get his treatment at home.”

Ealham and Davies have been joined on the treatment table by AJ Harris, who has a back strain.

The only bright spark on the horizon is the news that Charlie Shreck, Paul Franks and Simon Francis came through their fitness tests with the Second XI and are now available for selection.