GEORGE Rhodes is expected to make his Worcestershire Rapids return tonight when they visit defending NatWest T20 Blast champions Lancashire Lightning (6.30pm).

The promising 22-year-old all-rounder is in line to replace Moeen Ali, who is in action for England in the ODI series against Sri Lanka.

Moeen’s latest County comeback ended in defeat as they lost by four wickets at New Road to Notts Outlaws in a televised clash last Saturday.

Rapids were also denied the opportunity to face Leicestershire Foxes a day earlier as the encounter at Grace Road fell victim to the weather.

But they still remain in a strong position to secure a place in the quarter-finals as they sit third, level on points with Birmingham Bears and leaders Northamptonshire Steelbacks.

Lancashire, meanwhile, are seventh after losing four of their first six games.

But Lightning will be keen to get revenge over Rapids, who clinched a dramatic two-wicket win at Old Trafford in last season’s T20 Blast with Ben Cox and Brett D’Oliveira starring.

With international Moeen unavailable, Rhodes, who has featured in two 50-over games and one T20 clash this term, will hope to shine in his absence.

Joe Clarke aims to continue his form with the bat having followed up his first half-century in T20 by scoring 63 in Worcestershire’s County Championship fixture at Derbyshire.

Rapids are also set to be boosted by the return of seamer Jack Shantry, who was rested for their home tie against Outlaws and recently picked up his 250th first-class wicket.