Essex men face a tough task as they bid to remain in the top flight of the county indoor tennis scene.

Injuries and unavailabilities have robbed non-playing captain Jamie Willson of four players for the LTA Winter Indoor County Championships.

Janice Torr - will be playing for Essex in Basingstoke Picture: ELISE GOW

And that is bad news as Essex will be facing strong competition in the form of reigning champions Middlesex and Men's Group One regulars Yorkshire.

"The chances of staying up are unlikely," admitted Willson, who lives in Westcliff.

"Tom Higgins and Jagev Sagoo are both injured, while Farris Khatib, Simon Harston and Matt Coombs are also out."

Westcliff Hardcourts' Richard Barham and Simon Bonham are included in the line up to travel to the Bolton Arena for the three-day tournament, which starts tomorrow.

Joining them will be Richard Wire, Ata Khatib, Richard Harvey, Gavin Bradford and Vince Ranson.

Essex's ladies will be trying to win promotion from Group 2B after finishing runners-up last year. Captain Pat Wire and her team will be heading to Basingstoke with a strong line-up featuring four south Essex players.

Basildon's Helen Crook will be contesting the doubles and Billericay's Janice Torr will also be in action. Westcliff Hardcourts members Sophie Cockell and Claire Frewer will also be in Hampshire.

Vicky Simpson, Jenny Rabot, Carla Bell and Solange Roast are in the squad, while their is a question mark over Mandy Wainwright.

"Mandy may be on the satellite tour and if she is not playing then it will be tricky for us," said Wire.

Each group features four teams and matches will be nine rubbers -- six singles and three doubles.

The men start their campaign by playing Middlesex tomorrow, Yorkshire on Satur-day and Surrey on Sunday.

Essex's ladies get underway against Sussex tomorrow, with Leicestershire on Saturday and Surrey on Sunday.

Published Thursday November 27, 2003

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