SOMERSET find themselves in a relegation scrap today(Thursday) when they take on Worcestershire in a day-night Pro40 Division One clash at the County Ground (4.30pm start).

Just a week after talking up their chances of claiming the title, the Cidermen are looking over their shoulders at the other end of the table.

Following defeat in last Saturday’s amazing game at home to Gloucestershire, Somerset are just a point above the bottom three sides who have all played fewer games.

The bottom two sides are automatically relegated, while the next team will play-off against the third-placed side in Division Two for a spot in next season’s top flight.

Opening batsman Marcus Trescothick must wonder how he is in a relegation fight after scoring a quite breathtaking 184 in the Gloucestershire defeat.

Trescothick said: “As a result of that game we now find ourselves down at the bottom end of the table so we need to win to make sure we stay up in the top flight of the Pro40.

“The final two matches are vitally important to us.”

Brian Rose, the club’s director of cricket, sees tonight’s game as equally cruicial.

He said: “Last Saturday, we were threatening to win the Pro40, now just a few days later we are in a position that threatens us with going down so it is vital that we get a win under our belts to offset any thoughts of relegation.”

With part of the new West Stand being open for use this evening the temporary ground capacity will increase to 5,300 and the Sabres are expecting a sell-out crowd.

All-rounder Wes Durston, who has recently won a recall to the side, is keen for the club to dispell any relegation worries before resuming their Championship title tilt.

He said: “It is important that we avoid relegation in the Pro40, because that would take the edge off any celebrations that we might have later on. The floodlit game at the County Ground is the one that I look forward most to playing in.

“The crowd get right behind us in all of our home games, but they seem to turn out in force and cheer us on in the day-night match."

Somerset (from): Marcus Trescothick, Justin Langer, Craig Kieswetter, Zander de Bruyn, James Hildreth, Wes Durston, Pete Trego, Omari Banks, Steffan Jones, Alfonso Thomas, Charl Willoughby, Arul Suppiah. SOMERSET travel to play Nottinghamshire in a crucial Championship game on Wednesday.