FORMER England cricketer and coach David Lloyd is in line to make a sensational return to the sport for his hometown club Accrington.

But the 61-year-old all-rounder will have a fight on his hands to get into the Thorneyholme Road side, who are unbeaten in their opening two Lancashire League fixtures.

Lloyd, whose son Graham also returned to the club this year, is due down in Accrington tonight for a practice session in the nets, with a view to turning out for the side this season.

Accrington captain David Ormerod said: "I spoke to Graham about it, but this is purely David's choice. Apparently he's been training and getting himself fit and this is a serious attempt on his part to get into our team.

"But David is realistic about this. He's 61 and he's serious about playing, but he knows we're serious about our cricket as well. He will only be picked if we feel that he's good enough to be picked."

Lloyd gave an undisclosed sum to the club last season when they were suffering financial difficulties.

"Bumble", as he is affectionately known, is more commonly found these days behind the microphone for Sky Telev-ision, and it was through his work as a pundit during England's Test series in New Zealand in the summer that he revealed his plans to return to the crease.

Ormerod hoped his presence would provide a further shot in the arm as the club continues its recovery.

He added: "He's obviously got his commentary commitments, but he's coming down and we'll see how things go.

"It would be a massive boost for us if he does play. Word gets around pretty quickly and hopefully a few people will come down to watch.

"It's just good to have David around the place. He's such a hometown bloke and a stalwart for Lancashire and England. There's always an extra buzz around the place when he's here.

"He turned up at our emergency meeting and it was great. He's so positive about everything he does."

Lloyd, who also played semi-professional football with Accrington Stanley, played nine Tests, scoring 552 runs at an average of 42.46, the highlight of which coming in the Second Test against India in 1974 where he scored a double hundred 214 not out.

He was Lancashire's captain for four years in the 1970s and was their coach for the majority of the Red Rose's one-day successes in the mid 1990s.

That was followed by a stint in charge of the England team, before retirement saw him try his hand as a first class umpire.

Ormerod joked: "It poses real problems in selection. We've had two maximum point wins and now David Lloyd turns up!"

Accrington are away to East Lancs on Saturday, before hosting Burnley on Sunday.