GOING into the final quarter of the season Somerset are back in contention in all three domestic competitions, writes Richard Walsh.

In the championship the Cidermen have reined back the leaders with three consecutive victories.

Somerset are clear leaders in their CB40 group and on Sunday they travel to Trent Bridge to take on Nottinghamshire in the T20 quarter finals.

And approaching what the players refer to as the business end of the season director of cricket Brian Rose reckons that Somerset are better equipped this season than they were in 2010.

Rose said: "It's almost the same as last year, but there are differences.

“One of those is that we have got a stronger squad of players, which has come about because of the losses in the first part of the season to players to the IPL which has enabled the club to play the likes of Lewis Gregory and Craig Meschede etc who have done very well.

"This has also meant that people like Charl Willoughby hasn't been playing one day cricket and been able to concentrate on the championship and we have also able to rest Steve Kirby in the CB40 and a few T20 games.

"It has also enabled us to cope with the injury to Alfonso Thomas and Gemaal Hussain, and we have virtually got a full squad of players available to choose from.

“That is very helpful to the director of cricket, the captain and the coach in terms of being able to play their strongest team.

"There is not the worry, like there was last year, that somebody is going to conk out.

“I am more optimistic this year that we can keep people fresh until the end of the season."

Looking ahead to Sunday's big T20 quarter final at Trent Bridge, Rose said: "Actually people haven't been worried about it because we have too busy charging in the recent championship games.

“That has taken the pressure off the quarter final game for us.

"The T20 is very exciting and our players like playing at Trent Bridge because there is pace in the wicket and they know that.

“Even if they put up a slow wicket we will cope with that because we have been doing it well in the T20 at away games and in the CB40 where some of the wickets have not been very good.

“On Sunday you could see from the start it was going to be a low scoring affair."

Craig Kieswetter, who has been absent on England Lions duty will be available for Somerset on Sunday.