WORCESTERSHIRE Rapids could have England Lions duo Joe Clarke and Brett D’Oliveira in their ranks for their must-win NatWest Twenty20 clash at Derbyshire Falcons on Friday (7pm).

The County pair are involved in England’s Tri-Series against Pakistan A and Sri Lanka A which got under way at Cheltenham on Monday.

Clarke featured today as the Lions won their opening game against Pakistan by seven wickets, although D'Oliveira missed out.

The Lions are scheduled to face Sri Lanka at Northampton tomorrow (Thursday).

But the Lions are without a fixture on Friday and Worcestershire skipper Daryl Mitchell says the County have been in contact with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

“I think there are negotiations with the ECB because the two lads are not playing for the Lions on the Friday so the Lions squad might be released because it’s an important time in the T20 Blast,” said Mitchell.

“We are not sure yet but, as a club, we want to produce England players and they both thoroughly deserve their shot and we wish them well.

“But if they are not available to play, then that’s part of parcel of what we do.

“Fortunately, we have a good depth of squad and there are guys who could come in and take their place if needed.”

Worcestershire kept alive their outside hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals after beating Birmingham Bears by five wickets at New Road last Friday.

However, only four teams from the north and south groups qualify for the knockout stages and Worcestershire are fifth in the north table and with an inferior run-rate than the top teams.

“We have to win on Friday,” said Mitchell.

“I know 14 points have got teams through the group stages in the past. Unfortunately, it’s not in our hands and we need results to go our way.

“We are disappointed to be in this position but we’ve stopped the losing momentum and hopefully we can kick on, get a win, and see where we are in the reckoning.”