SOMERSET'S director of cricket Brian Rose has said the county "expect" to win the NatWest Pro40 league.

The Cidermen failed to reach the quarter-finals of the 20-over competition for the third year running, despite having one of the most talented line-ups on the circuit.

They also had a disappointing campaign in the 50-over Friends Provident Trophy.

However, Rose thinks those failures will give them extra incentive to win the 40-over competition, which starts on July 20 with a trip to play Sussex at Arundel.

Rose said: "In both the Friends Provident Trophy and the Twenty20 we haven't functioned as a unit.

"We have played brilliantly one day and then not so well the next. We need greater consistency. The two openers have done well for two games, then not got a run. Our middle-order batsmen did okay for a few games and then didn't get a run. That is a big problem we need to address."

"Hopefully, we are going to win it (the Pro40). We are due to do well because we have, so far, underachieved.

"I was saying the same thing at the same time last year and we won promotion. Now this year we are looking to win it (the Pro40) and I expect to win it and the players expect to win it. We have learned a lot from the Twenty20."

Meanwhile, Somerset have over a week's break before their next cricket. The county, whose last match against the South Africans ended on Tuesday, are back in action next Friday when they travel to Chester-le-Street to play leaders Durham in the LV County Championship.

Somerset, whose last game in the competition was a defeat at home to Yorkshire at the start of June, have slipped to third.

The Cidermen hope to have Andy Caddick back in the side. He captained the side against South Africa (see page 133) in a bid to build fitness after back injury.

Rose said: "I think he still has a bit to do. It is obvious that after he has bowled he has been quite stiff.

"We will bowl him in the nets and in the second team games and come Wednesday we will take a decision to see whether he is in the squad that goes to Durham. I am sure he will be very close.

"Pace-wise he is not up to his normal levels and he would admit that himself.

"He has hated being out because he wants to do well. Let's hope he gets his frustration out at Chester-le-Street."