SOMERSET have kept faith with their under-pressure batting line-up and included young off-spinner Dom Bess in their 13-man squad for the visit of Warwickshire in the Specsavers County Championship.

Jim Allenby could be in line for his first red ball appearance of the season in place of Lewis Gregory, who has had an injection in his back and hopes to be fit for the match against Hampshire next weekend.

Speaking about Gregory's fitness, Somerset director of cricket Matthew Maynard said: "Lewis had an injection into the site of the stress fracture in his back on Monday, that we are hoping will take away his discomfort and pain and allow him to continue bowling.

“The specialist has said that Lewis won’t do himself anymore damage by bowling because the fracture in his back is already there and wont get any worse.

“However, he will need an operation at some stage, but we are obviously hoping that the injections will enable him to bowl pain free this summer.

"We are hoping in the short term that the injections will allow him to resume bowling on Friday and we need to try to get his overs up so he comes into contention for selection against Hampshire next week.”

Captain Tom Abell and wicketkeeper Steve Davies, both of whom have struggled for early season runs, have both been included in the squad with Maynard insisting he is a "firm believer in staying with the same team unless it is to the detriment of one of the players concerned."

Bess, meanwhile, will be hoping (if selected) to replicate his success in the match against the same opponents last year on his First Class debut.

The teenager claimed the wickets of former England internationals Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell in successive balls for his maiden scalps, before going on to take 6-28 in the first innings as Warwickshire were bowled out for 123 in reply to Somerset's 95 all out.

Bess then took two wickets in the second innings - with spin twin Jack Leach taking six - as the hosts wrapped up a 31-run victory early on day three.

This weekend's match pits two Division One early season strugglers against one another, with Somerset four points behind Warwickshire as things stand.

The visitors have played a game more, however, and have been beaten by an innings in two of their three matches to date, so the hosts will be aware that this is a game they need to take points from.

The first day's play begins tomorrow (Friday) at 11am - for ticket information, see the club website.

Somerset squad: Tom Abell (captain), Marcus Trescothick, Dean Elgar, James Hildreth, Steve Davies (wk), Peter Trego, Jim Allenby, Roelof van der Merwe, Craig Overton, Jamie Overton, Jack Leach, Dom Bess, Tim Groenewald.