Nasser Hussain intends to step out on the comeback trail at Halstead today (Wednesday).

The England cricket captain was due to have a net today and if he comes through that without problems, he will turn out for Essex in their second XI clash against Nottinghamshire.

Hussain has not played a competitive game since breaking his finger in the opening Test against Australia nearly a month ago.

More information about Essex County Cricket Club's 2001 season If he does play at Halstead and his finger passes the test, he will probably return to first-team duty against Norwich League Union leaders Worcestershire at Chelmsford on Sunday.

"It's been a frustrating time for Nasser and he's desperate to get out in the middle again," said Essex coach Keith Fletcher.

"He seems to have moved from one problem to another since the season started and we're all hoping his troubles are now at an end."

Hussain, if he does play on Wednesday, will be joined by West Indian Joseph Grant, who was registered by Essex a few days ago and is likely to be offered a one-year contract.

Grant, 32, has been turning out for Cambridgeshire, for whom he has taken 21 wickets in the last three matches.

The second XI fixture is also being used to give left-arm seamer Mark Ilott a run out after his broken finger.

But strike bowler Ricky Anderson, who remains the county's leading first-class wicket-taker this season with 35 victims, continues to be kept out with ankle problems.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.