WARREN Hegg is Lancashire's Player of the Year.

The 32-year-old wicket keeper has had the most successful season of his career with two centuries and an England recall for the Test tour of India this winter.

He said: "It's a great honour -- the only other time I've won anything like this was as a 13-year-old playing football for Salford Lads."

Hegg was a clear winner from Neil Fairbrother when members votes were counted.

Meanwhile, Mike Atherton is fighting to get fit for the crucial championship clash against Kent at Old Trafford tomorrow.

Atherton was taken to hospital for a check up a week ago after suffering stomach trouble, thought to be caused by the tablets he takes for his back condition.

Lancashire were hoping he would announce himself as fit as they try to keep clear of the relegation zone. If he plays it will be his last match before taking up a media career.

Lancashire will also give a last-minute fitness check to paceman Peter Martin who has been out for a month with a leg muscle strain and they expect Muttiah Muralitharan to be back after his recent successes in Sri Lanka. The diminutive spinner helped Sri Lanka beat India and Bangladesh, taking his tally over the 350 Test wickets mark from only 66 matches.

His return will be a big boost with Lancashire under the threat of relegation.

They lie only five points above the danger zone and it would be a catastrophe for the Red Rose club if they were to be dumped into the Second Division.

For Bob Simpson it is a delicate moment.

The Aussie coach has been in charge for the last two years during which Old Trafford has been a trophy-free zone and to leave the club in the Second Division would be a blemish against his reputation as one of the best coaches in the world.

Simpson is unhappy about the way events have gone -- he was not even invited to take part in the committee meeting yesterday where the strategy for the future was thrashed out.

And Lancashire have delayed an announcement on their coaching vacancy until Sunday but it is likely to be Mike Watkinson, former captain and now second team coach.

It is thought that Watkinson will take over as director of cricket and be given wide ranging powers to overhaul the coaching strategy.