NEW Zealand Test bowler Matt Henry will be returning to Worcestershire’s line-up for their Specsavers County Championship home clash with Sussex, starting tomorrow (11am).

Henry was replaced by Kiwi all-rounder Mitchell Santner after being rested for the County’s rain-affected draw against Glamorgan in Cardiff.

But skipper Daryl Mitchell says 24-year-old Henry will “almost certainly” be recalled for the match at New Road as they look to reignite their Division Two promotion hopes.

Mitchell admits the County will need to take 20 wickets to win if they want to close the gap on table-topping Essex, who they trail by 28 points.

With Moeen Ali resuming his England duties, in-form Alexei Kervezee will come into the County squad and Mitchell expects one of the five seam bowlers to miss out.

Worcestershire and Sussex were both relegated from the top tier at the end of last season but are still seeking their first wins of the summer.

The County are fourth in the table, while their visitors are sixth.

“Matt was just rested for Glamorgan because he had a heavy workload in his first two matches,” said Mitchell.

“We were looking to bat first at Cardiff and we thought spin would come into things in the second innings, so we gave an opportunity to Mitch.

“We also used it to give Matt a rest and he will almost certainly be back for the Sussex game.

“Looking at the balance, we will have five seamers and one of those will probably be stood down.”

Mitchell insists confidence is high in the New Road camp after Brett D’Oliveira (202 not out) and Joe Clarke (133) lifted Worcestershire to 456-6 declared in the draw against Glamorgan.

Joe Leach (2-15) and Ed Barnard (1-19) then reduced bottom-of-the-table Glamorgan to 42-4 before rain washed out play.

“We were faultless in the cricket played in Cardiff and applied ourselves brilliantly with the bat,” said Mitchell.

“We thought it was a 300 to 350-run wicket and proved that when we bowled because the ball nipped around.

“Brett was superb, while Clarkie picked up the tempo and played a fine innings.

“To get to 456 was a brilliant effort from the lads.

“We played all the cricket in the one-and-half days possible.”

D’Oliveira has scored 499 runs at an average of 99.80 from the opening four Championship matches and Mitchell saluted his opening partner’s form.

“Brett has been in brilliant touch but the signs were there to see last year,” said Mitchell.

“He’s got a good technique and leaves the ball well, which is very important for an opener.

“He’s got a good defence, a very strong cut shot and is an excellent runner between the wickets.”

Since the advent of the non-toss regulation, there have been just four positive results in Division Two.

Visiting captains are given the option to bowl first and if they take it up, there will be no toss.

However, if the visiting skipper doesn’t want to bowl first, a toss will take place as usual.

“We have also lost 47 per cent of our overs during the first four matches (due to rain), which has been very frustrating for everyone,” said Mitchell.

Worcestershire are well aware of Sussex’s strengths having played them in Division One.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Ben Brown leads a Sussex side likely to contain the experienced Ed Joyce and Steve Magoffin. Mitchell added: “It looks like another good pitch at New Road with a bit more grass left on it.

“It’s a newer wicket and they normally have more pace and bounce in them than the older ones.

“There should be more carry for the bowlers, so hopefully we will be able to get the nicks and take the catches for the 20 wickets needed to win the match.”

Santner looks set to drop out of the County squad.

Worcestershire (from): Mitchell, D’Oliveira, Clarke, Kervezee, Kohler-Cadmore, Whiteley, Cox, Leach, Barnard, Henry, Shantry, Morris.