DURHAM'S hopes of including Mark Wood for their next two matches were dashed yesterday by the news that he needs another ankle operation.

The England paceman had hoped to prove his fitness in the three-day second team match against Scotland, starting at Emirates Riverside today.

After that his sights were on a showdown with Steve Finn for an England place when Durham face Middlesex, starting on Sunday.

But Wood now has no chance of being fit for the three-Test series against Sri Lanka as his injury-hit career continues to stall. He will be out for at least two months.

He had been told there were two problem areas in his left ankle and following an operation last November it was hoped the trouble further back could be managed.

He travelled around the country pre-season looking for opportunities to bowl on grass under the canvas that some counties use.

All was going well until he cranked his pace up to 90mph and suffered a reaction, forcing him to miss his intended comeback game against Durham University.

Although Ben Stokes is available to play against Middlesex, and Surrey at the Oval the following week, Wood's absence is likely to mean more opportunities for Usman Arshad.

He has been drafted into the second team squad today, joining a battery of seamers which also includes Jamie Harrison, Paul Coughlin, Barry McCarthy and James Weighell, who captains the side.

Also in the squad is Asher Hart, a 19-year-old seam bowling all-rounder from Penrith, while Gavin Main will play for Scotland.

The Scots are led by ex-Durham batsman Kyle Coetzer, who was released by cash-strapped Northants at the end of last season and has taken a post as cricket development manager with Benwell Hill.

He will captain their team in the North East Premier League and also has a full Scotland contract for the first time.

There is an Owais Shah in the visiting team, but he is a 17-year-old Scotland-born left-handed batsman rather than the ex-Middlesex and England player.