DURHAM will have Ben Stokes available for their final two games as they seek to end a depressing run which culminated in a 228-run defeat at Headingley yesterday.

Yorkshire wrapped it up in early afternoon, minutes before Middlesex won by five wickets at Trent Bridge to stay one point ahead and consign Nottinghamshire to relegation.

Durham had reason to be grateful to their brief team-mate Kumar Sangakkara for keeping Hampshire at bay as the second bottom club were unable to force a win at the Oval and remain 11 points behind Durham.

If Durham gain a good haul of bonus points from a draw at home to Surrey next week they will be as good as safe going into the last match at the Ageas Bowl.

Whether Mark Wood will also be available remains uncertain with coach Jon Lewis saying: “His fitness is still being assessed and it could be as late as Sunday morning before we know.”

Although it means little because of his central contract, Stokes yesterday extended his Durham contract by one year and said: “I'm happy to put pen to paper for a club I love playing for.”

His last championship appearance was in the win against Lancashire at Southport, since when Durham's title challenge has come off the rails.

Ryan Pringle provided some resistance yesterday, reaching his first 50 of the season with a hooked six off Tim Bresnan and remaining unbeaten on 57 from 66 balls in a total of 192.

He will add to the selection dilemma against Surrey, with Paul Coughlin also under consideration for a swift return after his innings of 231 in the Second X1 Championship triumph.

Lewis denied that selection at Headingley was in any way influenced by a desire to give the seconds every chance of victory, but did say: “Selection was as tough as I have known.

“We had several possible permutations and Stuart Poynter falling ill the night before didn't help. He's feeling better now.

“We didn't expect Paul Coughlin to play five successive championship games and he was looking a bit heavy-legged so we decided to give him a week off bowling.

“From where he was with his injuries after the last two or three years he has done brilliantly.

“It's important to get him through this season without anything flaring up, then the benefits next year will be difficult to measure. I'd be happy to bring him back in next week as an all-rounder.”