LANCASHIRE will be without their overseas all-rounder Farveez Maharoof for tomorrow’s LV County Championship opener against Liverpool at Liverpool.

The Sri Lankan, who has been held up by red tape, is not due to arrive until Monday.

Meanwhile, former Atherton opener Karl Brown is confident his wait for a regular place in Lancashire’s first team is almost over.

The 22 year-old Boltonian is set to face Sussex at Aigburth.

“It’s been something that I’ve been trying to do for the past three or four years and not quite managed to,” said Brown. “If I can get the first crack at it this year, I’ll be pushing hard to stay in the team for as long as possible.”

Despite being awarded a professional contract in 2006, Brown has only played six Championship matches. But it would be a major surprise if he failed to secure a place in coach Peter Moores’ first-choice top order for county cricket’s premier competition.

And he is not too bothered where he bats. “I’d probably like it to come as an opening batsman because that’s where I’ve played for the majority of my career,” Brown added. “But if it comes somewhere like number six, I feel I could do as good a job. I’m really pleased with how I’m playing. I’ve got three 30-odds and a 70, and I feel I’m batting well. I just feel I could have pushed on in one of them and got a hundred, but I feel it will come because I’m playing well.”

Brown feels in fine fettle after a tough pre-season and said: “It definitely gives you the incentive to train hard knowing that there are spots available. We’ve obviously not got as many players in the squad, so you can get in there.”