Darren Gough will take another big step on his road to a full recovery when he leads a Yorkshire XI in their two-day friendly against Bradford-Leeds Universities' Centre of Excellence starting at Headingley today.

Another Yorkshire XI play Durham at the Riverside tomorrow and this is a particularly important game for all-rounder Gavin Hamilton, who will be able to see if his confidence with the ball has returned.

However, Yorkshire director of cricket, Geoff Cope, stressed that no significance was attached to the composition of the two sides.

"We just want to make sure that everyone gets in as much cricket as they possibly can as we make our final preparations for the new season," he said.

"With new captain Anthony McGrath in charge of the side at Durham, we asked Darren if he would lead Yorkshire out at Headingley and he said he would be delighted to do so."

Gough is very pleased with the progress he is making on his knee and in a match at Headingley this week between sides made up of Yorkshire's squad players he bowled around 25 overs, several of them at top pace.

After a good bowl yesterday he said: "I have sent down a few overs and taken a couple of wickets and everything appears to be going fine."

The past 18 months have been ruinous for Gough, who has had to endure three operations on his right knee. But the signs now are promising that he still has a few seasons cricket left in him both for Yorkshire and England.

Last summer, he was rushed back too soon by England for the one-day internationals, but in his only Championship appearance for Yorkshire - against Lancashire at Headingley in mid-July - he broke down again and has not played since.

Hamilton's final appearance for Yorkshire last season was against Sussex in June when one over cost him 17 runs as his confidence totally deserted him.

He did not bowl again either for Yorkshire Seconds or Bradford League club East Bierley, but now fingers are crossed that he has got over his problems and can play a big part in helping Yorkshire win promotion to Division One at the first attempt.

Meanwhile, England have said that Matthew Hoggard can play for Yorkshire in the opening Championship match of the season against Northamptonshire. But Michael Vaughan will have to wait until the game against Hampshire at the Rose Bowl, starting on April 30, before he is available.

Yorkshire (v Bradford-Leeds Universities at Headingley): Gough (captain), Gale, Pyrah, Lumb, Bresnan, Gilbert, Ellis, Gray, Guy, Lawson, Thornicroft, Sidebottom.

Yorkshire (v Durham at Riverside): McGrath (captain), Wood, Richardson, Taylor, Blakey, Fellows, Hamilton, Swanepoel, Dawson, Silverwood, Kirby, Stiff.