LANCASHIRE suffered another injury setback when Mal Loye was forced to retire hurt on the second day of their Championship game against Warwickshire.

The right-hander was on 44 and well set at the time when he played a square cut and pulled is Achilles. He hobbled to the other end of the pitch and immediately called for the physio. After trying to continue with a runner he left the field.

It is a huge blow for Lancashire, who have had an injury-riddled season, both for this game and the longer term. He is unlikely to take much further part over the next two days.

Coach Mike Watkinson said: "We've got him booked in for scan. He's got pain in his Achilles, he's not ruptured it but we need to find out how bad it is. But it doesn't look like he'll be running around much in the next few days."

"It is a blow for us because Mal looked set and looked like getting a big score and he's upset about that."

Loye had looked the most fluent batsmen on display as Lancashire replied to Warwickshire's 410 all out. That represented a good comeback from the Red Rose, as they claimed last six wickets for 64 runs.

Dominic Cork bowled a superb 10 over spell in the morning and took the wickets of Ian Bell (112) and Brad Hogg for a duck in the same over. Gary Keedy weighed in with two more scalps to finish with 5-109, his third five wicket haul this season.

Bell and Dougie Brown, who eventually fell for 162, added 254 a record for any fifth wicket stand at Old Trafford.

Loye's injury and two late wickets from Brad Hogg mean Warwickshire are still in control of the game as Lancashire trail by 243 runs on 167 for three.