DURHAM'S Ben Stokes has developed a back problem and is unlikely to bowl in the match against Surrey starting at the Oval tomorrow.

He will play as a batsman, but with an extra seamer likely to be required Durham may have to take the unwanted step of leaving out one of their two spinners.

Although Ian Blackwell has yet to adjust to the early season English conditions following his century for the MCC against Lancashire in Dubai, Scott Borthwick is the more vulnerable.

"Ben's injury gives us a slight problem in balancing the team," said coach Geoff Cook. "Ruel Brathwaite and Chris Rushworth will both travel with us.

"Liam Plunkett is getting close to consideration but he hasn't quite got the consistency needed at this time of year, when every run is crucial in tight matches.

"There was a lot going on in the match at Lord's on a helpful pitch for the bowlers.

"I don't think we took our foot off the gas when we had them 91 for eight in the second innings, but we probably realised a bit too late that we needed to bowl more aggressively at Tim Murtagh."

Plunkett and Steve Harmison will continue to play for the second team, who begin a three-day match against Nottinghamshire at Chester-le-Street today.

They didn't get as much bowling as was hoped at Billericay last week because of the weather and on a flat pitch the combined Kent-Essex team amassed 463 for eight with Sam Northeast making 166. Plunkett took three wickets but Harmison had none for 76.

Durham are flying down from Newcastle today, having arrived back at base in the team bus at 2am on Monday following the draw at Lord's.

They have Monday and Tuesday off next week before their third successive away game takes them to Edgbaston to face leaders Warwickshire, who have won both their games.

They are already 32 points ahead of Durham, who thrashed them twice last season, winning by an innings and 32 runs at Edgbaston.