DURHAM will consider adding left-arm spinner Gurman Randhawa to their squad for the championship game starting at the Oval tomorrow, although skipper Paul Collingwood insists he has not lost faith in Scott Borthwick.

Randhawa, a Yorkshire Academy product, has been handed a development contract for this summer and Durham will want to introduce him to first team cricket at some stage.

It was at the Oval on Durham's last visit two years ago that Borthwick recorded his best first-class figures of six for 70 in the second innings.

It was also the match in which off-spinner Ryan Buckley took five for 86 on debut in the first innings on a pitch prepared to suit Surrey's more experienced spinners.

While Buckley was released last year, Borthwick has since cemented his role as No 3 batsman and has only once taken more than three wickets in an innings.

He had four for 46 in last year's win against Sussex at Arundel, a match recalled by Collingwood when he said: “Both Scott and Ryan Pringle showed what they could do there.

“It usually turns at the Oval and we might put Gurman in the squad, but I still see Scott as a frontline spinner.

“We might see more spin generally because the new toss rule seems to be having the desired effect of bringing pitches up to equal standard across the country.

“I'm not saying that's why ours have improved. Vic Demain was in his his first season here last year and he obviously learnt a lot about our pitches.”

Ben Stokes, who took four for 80 but scored only nine against Middlesex, will again be available for what is likely to be his last Durham appearance for some time.

“Having Ben in the side is a huge bonus,” said Collingwood. “With two spin-bowling all-rounders as well we cover all the bases.

“It's frustrating that we have been well placed in both our home games so far, only to be beaten by the weather.”

Although South Africa-born Brydon Carse conceded runs at seven an over in his second championship game against Middlesex, he produced a beauty to bowl Sam Robson and Collingwood is inclined to persevere.

“We knew we would miss the accuracy and skill of John Hastings, but we have to bring on the next generation. Brydon has raw talent and pace and he will improve for the experience.”

Following promotion, Surrey are bottom of the table after losing by three wickets at Trent Bridge before having the better of a home draw against Somerset this week.

But Durham are only four points better off and will be hoping to draw on their experience of briefly having Kumar Sangakkara in their team two years ago.

The Sri Lankan scored 171 and 71 against Somerset, while West Indian Ravi Rampaul became only the fourth player to take five-wicket hauls in both his first two matches for Surrey.

They will be without Mark Footitt, the left-arm seamer they signed from Derbyshire, who has joined Jade Dernbach and Stuart Meaker on the casualty list.

But in addition to the highly-rated Curran brothers, they can call on another South African in Matt Pillans or former England Under 19 paceman Matthew Dunn.