ROSS Whiteley has been restored to the Worcestershire LV= County Championship squad for the home Division One clash with Durham which starts tomorrow (11am).

The County's director of cricket Steve Rhodes has named a 12-strong squad for the New Road encounter.

Whiteley featured in the innings win over Somerset at New Road two-and-a-half weeks ago before being replaced by Moeen Ali for the away game with Warwickshire.

But the former Derbyshire all-rounder is back and last week scored his first senior century for Worcestershire in the tour game with New Zealand, which his side lost by just 15 runs.

Moeen is unavailable because of his commitments with England and he scored a half-century in the first innings of the first Test against the Black Caps at Lord's.

Rhodes said: "Durham are a funny side. They are up-and-down with their results this year. But they've been in Division One for a few years now.

"Like all the teams in that division, we've got to respect them, certainly not fear them but respect them.

"If we can just play those full four days, or whatever it might be, or put in a performance with the bat and ball like we did against Somerset, hopefully then we can come away with the points.

"It will be nice to get some points in that competition again. We had a great victory against Somerset, which people will remember from not too long ago, and hopefully it will be Durham this time around."

As regards the Worcestershire side, Rhodes said: "It will be very similar to how we have been playing with the three quicks and Ross coming in for Moeen at six.

"He will give us extra seam options and is in good nick with the bat after his hundred against New Zealand. We look forward to him taking Moeen's spot."

Skipper Daryl Mitchell said: "There have been a lot of positives in the first four Championship games and the New Zealand game.

"Four guys have got hundreds in Tom Fell, Richard Oliver, Ben Cox and Ross and the bowlers have been terrific throughout.

"But, if we are going to be successful as a team, we need to turn these good positions, such as against Sussex and New Zealand, into victories."

Worcestershire (from): D Mitchell (captain), R Oliver, T Fell, A Gidman, A Kervezee, R Whiteley, B Cox, J Leach, J Shantry, S Senanayake, C Morris, E Barnard.