Nixon returns to Kent with new-look Leicestershire

Glamorgan have been shorn of half their seam attack for their second match of the championship, and with Michael Kasprowicz ruled out, they have opted for two spinners. Dean Cosker comes in to join Robert Croft, who bowled more than 80 overs in the first game of the season. Hampshire are boosted by the return of Chris Tremlett, after the shin problems which kept him out of the draw with Worcestershire.

David Paynter and Ricky Anderson have been added to the Northamptonshire squad for their home match against Gloucestershire. Rob White and Carl Greenidge make way after last week's innings-and-343-run defeat by Yorkshire. Gloucestershire's James Averis comes in for Jon Lewis, who sustained a groin injury in their narrow victory over Somerset, and Martyn Ball may return as a second spinner alongside Ian Fisher.

Somerset's allrounder Ian Blackwell faces a fortnight on the sidelines after splitting the webbing on a hand, with Keith Dutch and Keith Parsons added to the squad that slumped to an eight-run defeat against Gloucestershire last week. Durham are missing Paul Collingwood (shoulder), Mark Davies (lung) and their overseas player, Dewald Pretorius, who is on international duty.

After a fraught winter of discontent, Leicestershire get their season underway with a new-look team, led by Phil DeFreitas. Paul Nixon, a Kent player last season, will have much to prove on his return to his old club, while Jeremy Snape, David Masters and Rupesh Amin are set to feature after joining from Gloucestershire. David Fulton and Min Patel, who have recently undergone eye and back surgery respectively, are the most notable absentees from the Kent squad.

Lancashire welcome back Peter Martin after a family bereavement kept him out of the drawn match against Surrey. He is expected to return at the expense of Kyle Hogg, while Andrew Flintoff will feature after receiving permission to play by the England and Wales Cricket Board. Nottinghamshire are likely to keep faith with the side that beat Warwickshire by three wickets.

Middlesex coach John Emburey has named an unchanged squad for the visit of Sussex, with Tim Bloomfield again likely to be named 12th man. Ed Joyce's century staved off defeat against Essex last week, and Middlesex will hope to build on that moral victory. Sussex have their entire first-choice squad to choose from, with James Kirtley back after turning out for the second XI last week.

Warwickshire will be without their Australian left-arm seamer, Michael Clark, who sustained a groin injury in the defeat against Nottinghamshire. Essex's Andrew McGarry has a side strain, and is replaced by Graham Napier, while John Stephenson is also included in the 12-man squad.