Yorkshire have Michael Vaughan and Matthew Hoggard back from the Test match for their Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy fourth round tie with Northamptonshire at Wantage Road tomorrow.

And although Darren Gough is still not fit enough for this crucial game, he may make his first appearance of the season for Yorkshire Phoenix against Durham Dynamos at Riverside on Sunday.

But Yorkshire coach Wayne Clark has ruled out any chance of Gough playing in next week's Championship match with Sussex at Arundel even if England decide to begin the NatWest Series without the strike bowler.

The County Champions are bottom of the Division One table with five defeats and a draw from their first six matches and Clark admitted today: "We are in too much trouble to risk going into our next Championship game nursing a bowler who may not get through four days."

Yorkshire are once bitten twice shy because Gavin Hamilton was brought back against Sussex at Headingley last week following a loss of confidence but only managed one over before having to be taken off.

Gough, however, needs to build up his strength in a competitive environment now that he is starting to bowl again following the two operations on his right cartilage.

He had a practice bowl at Old Trafford yesterday before the final day of the Third Test and England will reveal tomorrow whether they intend to include him for the start of the one-day triangular tournament or possibly call him up later.

If Gough does play at Riverside on Sunday but is not then wanted by England he will probably turn out for Yorkshire Seconds in the one-day game against Nottinghamshire at Headingley on Monday and then in the one-dayer with Lancashire at Castleford on the Wednesday.

Yorkshire's most pressing concern at the moment is to beat Northamptonshire and keep alive their dream of a Lord's visit this season but they realise they must dramatically improve their form if they are to do so.

Cricket chairman Bob Platt and his committee meet at Headingley today to discuss the club's dire performances this season and will talk with the three top coaches - Clark, Arnie Sidebottom and Steve Oldham.

Platt has already decided that greater discipline must be imposed on the side and as a consequence either Sidebottom or Oldham will travel with Yorkshire for the next few matches.

Meanwhile, Hamilton has told Yorkshire he is keen to play in the second team as a batsman while he seeks psychological help with his bowling problems.

Yorkshire (v Northants) from: White, Wood, Vaughan, McGrath, Katich, Fellows, Blakey, Silverwood, Dawson, Bresnan, Sidebottom, Hoggard, Gray.

Updated: 11:57 Tuesday, June 18, 2002