Wolverhampton have lost the services of wicketkeeper batsman Chris Brook for up to six weeks with a broken finger.

The top-order star and gloveman has had an operation and may return before the end of the season. He he has been replaced by veteran Andy Mackelworth for tomorrow’s clash with Shifnal.

Wolverhampton may also be ready to blood some of their second XI stars in the remaining weeks of the season, as captain Simon Lycett targets an end of year surge.

The long-time leaders all but played their way out of title contention during a winless July but Lycett insists motivation is still strong to end the campaign on a high.

He is hoping that other fringe players can follow the example of Erroll Anderson and make their mark in the first XI.

Anderson completed a half-century in last weekend’s thrilling last-over defeat to Barnt Green after being promoted from the second team.

Lycett is now planning similar promotions, starting with Oliver Margatts against Shifnal tomorrow.

He said: “We are trying to create a situation where players from the second XI can come in and perform and hopefully some of them can.”