Worcestershire Director of Cricket Steve Rhodes is hopeful Moeen Ali will be able to play a full role with bat and ball in Sunday's opening LV = County Championship clash with Yorkshire at New Road.
Moeen will definitely play as a batsman in his first competitive match since suffering a side strain while bowling when on England duty during the World Cup in their penultimate match against Bangladesh.
But, as a centrally contracted player, England will have the final say on whether the 27-year-old can bowl his off spin after assessing his fitness tomorrow.
Moeen was excluded from the original squad to play the three Test series in the West Indies but is hoping to play a part in the Caribbean if he proves his fitness.
Rhodes said: ""Will Moeen play on Sunday? Yes, at this stage Moeen will definitely play.
"We are not quite sure how much he will get involved with the bowling but we are very optimistic he will be able to bowl because he's been bowling for eight-nine days now and looking good.
"He will definitely play as a batter.
"He is also determined to score his runs and take wickets because it hurts him he is not involved with England at the moment out in the Caribbean and he will be desperate to impress.
"He is contracted to England, they pay his wages, and they have the final call in everything that happens with Moeen and we understand that.
"But he has been bowling plenty of overs prior to the game and I'm pretty sure he will be given the all clear to bowl in the game."
Moeen played in the two day friendly with Northamptonshire at Northampton this week as a batsman only and scored 38.
