MIKE Watkinson is set to lead Lancashire's bid for their first hat-trick of wins in the Championship for two years against Sussex at Old Trafford tomorrow.

Watkinson has not played in the Championship for a month because of his arm injury but he came through the last two limited overs matches and is hopeful of playing tomorrow.

Watkinson insists that revenge for last week's one-day defeat by Sussex will not be on Lancashire's mind. "All we are thinking about is trying to build on our recent improvement in the Championship," he said today.

The wins at Worcester and Uxbridge have taken Lancashire away from the bottom and a third successive triumph could even take them into the top half.

Lancashire's last Championship hat-trick came in 1995 when Wasim Akram led them to victories at Somerset and Leicestershire while Watkinson returned from Test duty against West Indies to play in the win against Sussex at Lytham.

Despite their NatWest victory, Sussex have been in terrible Championship form and Lancashire hope to be approaching full-strength in all departments except pace bowling, where Wasim and Glen Chapple are definitely out.

Fairbrother is expected to pass a fitness test on his thigh strain, although Andrew Flintoff is standing by, and Watkinson is likely to team up with Gary Yates which would mean no place for Gary Keedy.

Lancashire (probable): Atherton, Gallian, Crawley, Fairbrother, Lloyd, Watkinson, Austin, Hegg, Yates, Martin, Shadford.

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