Paceman Steven Finn will be absent when Middlesex aim to secure their LV= County Championship Division One status with victory over Somerset at Taunton.
Finn was given permission by England’s management to play in only the defeat to Durham to ensure he has a sufficient break from bowling before building up to the tour of Sri Lanka.
Middlesex have not won a four-day contest since May and head to Taunton just 12 points above second-bottom Lancashire, who have played a game more.
Anything other than a win will take the relegation battle into the final week of the season, when Middlesex travel to Emirates Old Trafford to face the Red Rose in a huge showdown.
The visit of the London county will be the last home game in charge for Somerset’s outgoing director of cricket Dave Nosworthy.
The South African, who was appointed to the post in December 2012, is returning to his homeland with his family.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Craig Kieswetter could make his long-awaited return to action following a facial injury.
The 26-year-old required surgery on a broken nose and a fractured orbital socket after he was hit in the face by a David Willey bouncer in July.
Kieswetter, who is back in full training, told the club’s official website: “The squad know that we are basically out of the championship race now, but for us as a team we can end the season on a high in these last two games.
“We can make an impact and hopefully in our last game at home against Middlesex we can give our supporters who have been outstanding throughout the year a final hoorah.
“For the players there is still a lot of pride to play for so it is a real test of character for us, especially with everything that has been going on to finish on a high for everyone involved with Somerset.”
South African Alviro Petersen has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.
Third-placed Nottinghamshire will be looking to bounce back from their mauling by champions Yorkshire when they host Sussex, who have Chris Jordan available, at Trent Bridge.
Chris Read’s outfit missed the opportunity to take the title race into the final two weeks of the campaign after suffering an innings defeat at the hands of the White Rose on home soil.
Youngster Jake Libby is set to open the batting for Notts, and he told the club's official website: “Opening the batting with Alex Hales is something I used to dream of.
“I’m going to go into this match relaxed, and play the way I have been with the seconds.
“I’m not an explosive opener, my game is suited to the red ball. I try and occupy the crease and bat for long periods of time."
Former Yorkshire paceman Ajmal Shahzad missed out against his former employers and may return to the hosts' attack tomorrow.
Andre Adams, who is leaving the club at the end of this term, is unavailable as he occupies the sidelines with injury.
Sussex quartet James Anyon, Rory Hamilton-Brown, Matthew Hobden and Matt Prior have all been ruled out for the rest of the season.
India paceman Varun Aaron should make his Durham debut when winless Northamptonshire visit the Emirates Durham ICG.
The 24-year-old has been signed as a replacement for John Hastings after the Australian was called up by Chennai Super Kings to play in the Champions League T20.
With survival secured courtesy of their first victory over Middlesex at Lord’s in 16 years, Durham will be aiming to build some momentum ahead of Saturday’s Royal London One-Day Cup final with Warwickshire at the home of cricket.
Northants, skippered by James Middlebrook, have made three changes to the side that were beaten by Warwickshire.
Rob Newton, Maurice Chambers and Olly Stone all come into contention at the expense of Stephen Peters, Graeme White and the injured David Willey.
LV= County Championship facts
*Middlesex have lost one of their last 16 away championship matches against Somerset (won six, drawn nine).
*The last four championship fixtures between Nottinghamshire and Sussex have been drawn.
*Northamptonshire have lost one of their seven away championship games against Durham (won three, drawn three).
*Chris Rogers is the leading championship run-scorer since the start of 2010 - he has also hit the most centuries.
*Five bowlers have taken more than 250 wickets since the start of the 2010 season: Tim Murtagh, David Masters, Andre Adams, Alan Richardson and Monty Panesar.
*Since the start of 2010, only Saeed Ajmal and Michael Hogan have taken at least 50 championship wickets at an average below 20.