Stokes set to make injury return for Durham

England captain Ben Stokes is set to play his first match since the fifth Ashes Test in Durham’s County Championship game against Worcestershire.

Stokes has recovered from the fractured cheekbone he suffered during an indoor session in February.

Now the 34-year-old can begin preparations for England’s Test series with New Zealand which begins on 4 June, with the four-day game at Visit Worcestershire New Road from Friday (11:00 BST).

Durham head coach Ryan Campbell says that Stokes will be used in his normal all-rounder’s role.

“He’ll be bowling for us, 100%,” said Campbell. “In one of the innings he might even go with the new ball, that’s in our thinking.”

Stokes was last seen on a cricket field on 7 January, picking over the bones of England’s 4-1 series defeat in Australia at the end of a chaotic and controversial tour.

Just over a month later, in a session with Durham’s academy, the Test captain was struck by a ball hit by a batter while he was stood beside the nets, causing a fractured cheekbone and severe damage to his face.

That required surgery which has delayed his involvement in the start of the domestic season, with most of England’s other Test players having already featured in Championship games for their counties.

Stokes has not played a red-ball game for Durham for almost two years, but will be involved as the north east county looks to build on their strong start to the season in Division Two.

And Campbell does not believe picking Stokes should just be about gearing him up for the Test summer.

“We’ve made it very clear, Stokesy is here as a member of our team to help win a game of cricket for Durham, not to get ready for England,” the Australian told the Press Association.

“I’m sure every England fan is delighted to see him back but we’re just happy to see one of our mates again.

“He holds himself to such high standards. He’ll be the first into fielding drills, throwing balls at people and hitting plenty himself.

“We’ve already spoken about Ben playing, how it brings more media and more eyes on a game.

“It adds another layer, not of stress but of responsibility to keep your own standards high. I’m really enjoying having him around.”