DURHAM will decide this morning whether to give Gareth Breese his debut against Nottinghamshire today after the query over his registration was cleared by Lord's.

The West Indian all-rounder is in the same squad of 12 which travelled to Hampshire, where the batting failures could tip the balance in Breese's favour for the Riverside clash.

It would be tough on Graeme Bridge, but his scores of three and six at the Rose Bowl did not help his cause.

Although his off-spin is his stronger suit, Breese has made a first-class century for Jamaica and is considered good enough to bat at six or seven.

He is short of batting practice after breaking his arm three months ago, but with no serious chance of second XI practice imminent Durham may decide to gamble on him sooner rather than later.

Even had he been fit, Breese could not have played at the Rose Bowl after the West Indies board cast doubt over his registration, even though he had been cleared before Durham signed him last August.

This was ironic at a time when other counties are stuffed with EU-qualifed overseas men, such as the South Africans Kevin Pietersen and Greg Smith, who will be on duty for Nottinghamshire today.

They have Australians David Hussey and leg-spinner Stuart MacGill as their official overseas men, with Hussey originally signed as back-up for Damien Martyn. But it now seems Martyn will not be available.

The younger brother of former Northamptonshire captain Mike Hussey, David struck nine fours and six sixes in an 81-ball century against Oxford University last week.

Pietersen, who enhanced his reputation on the England A tour of India, is also a powerful striker and is the only batsman to have cleared the Don Robson Pavilion at Riverside.

He becomes eligible for England in September and could be a rival to Paul Collingwood for a middle order place if he convinces the selectors that he is a good team man.

This was brought into question at the end of last season when he fell out with his county captain Jason Gallian and said he would not play at Trent Bridge again. But they appear to have made their peace.

Nottinghamshire looked a good all-round side when they were promoted two years ago, but they have come straight back down and have strengthened the squad by signing Ryan Sidebottom from Yorkshire and former England all-rounder Mark Ealham from Kent.

Durham were confident of landing Sidebottom, and coach Martyn Moxon was disappointed when his former Yorkshire colleague opted for the extra cash available at Trent Bridge.

The visitors have also signed Anurag Singh from Worcestershire, who will have to battle with Darren Bicknell and Russell Warren for a place in the top three. Whoever plays, there will be little sign of home-grown talent.

Durham (from): J J B Lewis (capt), M A North, G J Muchall, G J Pratt, N Peng, G M Hamilton, A Pratt, G D Bridge, L E Plunkett, M Davies, R King, G R Breese