THERE may finally be some good news on the horizon for Lancashire despite their winless streak extending into double figures.

It is eight defeats in ten games now for the Red Rose side, a run stretching back to the last week of May when they beat Sussex in the third round of the C&G Trophy.

But some key players are getting over the injuries that have hit the team so hard over recent weeks leading to patched-up sides and a replacement overseas player.

Carl Hooper and Glen Chapple are both set to return to action at the end of the week in the Twenty20. They have been sorely missed by Lancashire for their all-round skills.

Earny product Chapple has been out since being hit on the head by James Kirtley against Sussex on June 11.

He suffered bruising from the blow and has needed a lengthy recovery. He has been awaiting the clearance of the specialists before returning to action.

Hooper had been carrying a thumb injury since that C&G clash with Sussex and it was more severely damaged during the quarterfinal against Yorkshire at Old Trafford.

Team manager Mike Watkinson has said that the West Indian has been raring to go but he can't play until the registration of Dinesh Mongia, his stand-in, ends on Thursday.