DURHAM will be without Mark Wood for their next two Specsavers County Championship games, which have suddenly gained significance in the relegation battle.

Along with Ben Stokes, Wood was named in England's one-day international squad yesterday for five games against Pakistan, from August 24 to September 4.

The last match is two days before the start of Durham's match against Yorkshire at Headingley and Wood will also miss that if he is required for the sole T20 international at Old Trafford on September 7.

Gaining only five points from their last two matches has plunged Durham down the table from second to seventh, while yesterday's defeats for Nottinghamshire and Warwickshire also heightened their woes.

Warwickshire will come to Emirates Riverside next Tuesday only one point better off than Durham after losing by 226 runs at home to Surrey, who are now third.

Nottinghamshire, who are at Chester-le-Street the following week for a Wednesday start, are bottom after being leapfrogged by Hampshire, who beat them by 176 runs.

Although Hampshire coach Dale Benkenstein has returned to South Africa for family reasons and is unlikely to return, the 19-year-old pace bowler he persuaded to come over from Natal, Brad Wheal, did the damage.

He took six for 51 and if Hampshire repeat last season's resurgence Durham won't want to go there for the final game needing to win.

Durham, who have a game in hand, are on 133 points with Hampshire on 117 and Nottinghamshire 103.

With injuries new receding, there will be plenty of candidates to replace Wood. Brydon Carse, James Weighell and Barry McCarthy are all playing again, although Carse and Weighell have yet to bowl.

Durham are also keen to keep Usman Arshad involved as much as possible.