THE nightmare continues for Durham's England A player Michael Gough, who is out of what could prove to be the relegation decider against Kent today.

After missing the first half of a season in which he hoped to make a big impression, the 20-year-old Hartlepool batsman has been ruled out of the Riverside encounter by a freak accident.

While taking a quick single in the AON Trophy semi-final defeat at Southampton on Monday, Gough ran his bat into the crease, only for it to stick in the footholds.

The bat handle jammed into his thigh, causing a nasty swelling which has left him stiff and sore.

His initial comeback against Yorkshire after back problems was cut short by illness, forcing him to spend four days in isolation in Leeds General Infirmary before he was given the all clear.

He missed the Leicestershire match then played against Lancashire and Somerset, when he struggled for runs but turned his off breaks enough to suggest his bowling can be a valuable asset to Durham.

They will miss that against Kent as they are more likely to play four seamers again than include Nicky Phillips.

Steve Harmison will return in place of Melvyn Betts, who has had a knee operation, Nicky Peng will open in place of Gough and Gary Pratt replaces Muazam Ali at No 6.

Peng and Pratt are unlikely to be available for the next three games because of the Under-19 Tests against Sri Lanka.

Durham are 15 points behind their visitors and it is beginning to look as though overhauling Kent is their only realistic hope of avoiding relegation.

They are keen for revenge after being beaten on a sub-standard pitch at Tunbridge Wells in early June, and while Kent include Indian Test batsman Rahul Dravid this time they are without left-arm spinner Min Patel.

They have included inexperienced off-spinner Darren Scott and all-rounder James Hockley, who also bowls off breaks.

Mark Ealham faces a late fitness test on a finger injury, but former Durham seamer Martin Saggers will definitely play and there could be a place for former England paceman Martin McCague.

Durham (from): N J Speak (capt), J J B Lewis, N Peng, S M Katich, P D Collingwood, G Pratt, A Pratt, J Wood, N Killeen, S J E Brown, S J Harmison, N C Phillips.

l DURHAM will be taking on Sunderland's footballers in a sporting cricket battle at the Riverside on Monday, August 28.

The likes of Simon Katich and Nick Speak are expected to compete against Peter Reid's men, who could feature Niall Quinn, Michael Gray, Danny Dichio and Alex Rae.

The 25-over clash starts at 6pm and admission will be £5, with proceeds going to the Durham CCC Benefit Year.

l England will attempt to reassure worried captain Nasser Hussain this week as he attempts to re-capture the form which has deserted him this season.

Hussain will return to county cricket for Essex today in their championship match against Worcestershire at Kidderminster after scoring just 126 Test runs in the last ten innings and only 128 in first-class cricket this summer.

It is a major concern for Hussain, England coach Duncan Fletcher and chairman of selectors David Graveney, all of whom accept that an international side gains confidence from a captain at the top of his game