GLOUCESTERSHIRE are hoping to have Craig Miles and Benny Howell fit for the Specsavers County Championship match against Kent at Canterbury, starting on Sunday.

But Will Tavare is again ruled out by a mystery knee problem that is taking longer to heal than the club expected and has caused him to miss all three Championship games so far.

Miles is also waiting for his first appearance of the season. But the hugely promising seamer tested his side injury in a second XI match against Durham this week and will be in the squad to face Kent providing he suffers no reaction.

Gloucestershire will also wait to see how Howell’s back problem responds to the Durham game. But he scored an unbeaten century in the first innings and appears ready for a first team recall.

Head coach Richard Dawson said: “We can’t be sure about Craig and Benny for the Kent game, but the signs are good.

“Craig bowled really well in the second XI and is an important player for us. It’s fair to say we haven’t performed as well as we can with the ball so far this season.”

Like Howell, overseas signing Cameron Bancroft got runs in the Durham game to boost his confidence after a disappointing start to his Gloucestershire career.

Dawson revealed: “Cameron actually asked is he could play in the second XI, which is exactly the attitude you want from an overseas player.

“So far he has found all ways of getting out in the Championship, usually after appearing to play himself in, but he will come good for us.”

Other players looking to impress in the second team included George Hankins, Tom Smith, Matt Taylor, Chris Liddle and most recent signing Graeme van Buuren.

Taylor scored 41 not out at number eleven in the first innings, which allowed Howell to reach his hundred.

Dawson added: “We have a lot of players pushing for selection. The second XI game featured two strong teams, which was great for us when it comes to assessing form and fitness.

“Unfortunately, Will Tavare’s knee keeps swelling up and we’re not sure why. He has had a lot of tests, but at the moment the only sensible course of action is to allow him more rest.”

Gloucestershire have begun their Championship campaign with a defeat and two draws, leaving Dawson to admit there is room for improvement.

“With our batting it’s a case of carrying on with what we have been doing, but I want to see us tighten up with the ball,” he said.

“We have leaked runs at times, which didn’t happen last season, and there is some fine tuning to be done.”