DURHAM are awaiting the results of a scan on Paul Coughlin's side after the Sunderland all-rounder broke down in the opening championship win at Taunton.

Side strains usually rule out players for eight weeks, which would be a big blow for 22-year-old Coughlin, who was unable to bowl in the 2013 season because of back trouble.

He made 85, the highest score by a Durham No 10, on his championship debut in the home match against Lancashire last June and ended the season by opening the bowling in the Royal London Cup final.

Left-arm seamer Jamie Harrison will play in at least one of the second team's two one-day matches against Northumberland at the Emirates ICG on Sunday and Monday.

He bowled only 2.4 overs on his comeback from a knee operation in this week's game at Bristol, but the discomfort he felt was considered only a slight setback.

Despite Gloucestershire amassing 620 for eight, Barnard Castle all-rounder Josh Bousfield bowled only four overs.

But head coach Jon Lewis said: “That was mainly because of the number of bowlers we used, especially as Usman Arshad and Ryan Pringle joined in on the second day.

“Josh missed a year through injury but he's a good all-round cricketer who is worth persevering with. He has had a good winter in Australia and this is a big year for him.”

Lewis added that Irishman Barry McCarthy had received a good report after the game. The 22-year-old all-rounder is on a development contract and could compete with Arshad to take Coughlin's place in the next first team game, starting on Sunday week at home to Sussex.

Both will feature in at least one game against Northumberland, who are expected to be stronger on Sunday than Monday, when a few academy boys will be given an outing.

The seconds then play Scotland A at Seaton Carew in a three-day match starting on Wednesday.