Gerard Brophy is a major injury doubt for Yorkshire ahead of their Roses clash with Lancashire at Liverpool tomorrow with bowler Tim Bresnan already ruled out.

Both men suffered their problems during Saturday’s final day of the LV= County Championship draw against Hampshire at Headingley, wicket-keeper Brophy’s being a bruised right thumb and Bresnan’s being a tight right calf.

Brophy had a fitness test yesterday, and will be reassessed again today, while Bresnan, who had a scan yesterday, will not be risked with England’s Test series against Sri Lanka on the horizon.

Despite Bresnan being an England player and in form, the loss of glovesman Brophy will cause Yorkshire more problems with York-based Jonny Bairstow on England Lions duty and they have no other viable cover.

His absence would force Martyn Moxon and Andrew Gale into looking at a loan signing or a wicketkeeper who is currently out of county cricket.

Josh Knappett is one possible. The 26-year-old ex-Worcestershire man has been playing 40-over cricket for the ECB Unicorns, a team of players seeking professional deals.

It is far from the ideal preparation for the White Rose county ahead of a clash with the division one pacesetters, who have won three out of their first four matches, including both at Liverpool’s Aigburth ground.

However, captain Gale is still confident his team can rise to the challenge.

He said: “I feel like we’re in decent form, although the results don’t quite suggest that. We’ve played some good cricket.

“Roses games are always special, especially in the Championship – it’s the first fixture you look for when the list comes out. We’re all really excited about the match.”

Lancashire will be strengthened by the inclusion of England attack leader Jimmy Anderson at a ground which has provided a result in the last seven fixtures there.

Gale added: “At the moment, they are one of the teams to beat. But the Championship’s wide open.

“If we win a couple of matches, we’ll be right up at the top. Everyone’s beating everyone bar maybe Hampshire and Worcester. I’ve never played at Liverpool, but it’s an opportunity for us to get another win.”

Gary Ballance will slot into the middle order for his first appearance of the season in place of the unavailable Bairstow.

The 21-year-old left-hander had a successful winter playing first-class cricket in his native Zimbabwe before starting the second team campaign well and then scoring 47 in Sunday’s 40-over defeat against Kent at Headingley.

Gale continued: “He’s been unfortunate not to play earlier, but he’s got an opportunity now to show us what he can do.

“He’s shown that he can do it at second team level, but can he do it at first team level?

“We look forward to seeing him on display.”

Bresnan’s absence will bring fast bowling pair Moin Ashraf and Oliver Hannon-Dalby back into the reckoning, although left-arm spinner David Wainwright is also an option as Aigburth has been known to be helpful for the slow bowlers.