DURHAM were last night still hoping that Imad Wasim's passport would be returned in time for him to play in the next few NatWest T20 Blast games.

The 28-year-old Pakistani is unlikely to be arrive in time for tonight's match at home to group leaders Leicestershire, but could make Sunday's trip to Old Trafford.

If not, Durham will take the view that's it not worth signing him for what would be a maximum of four games before he rejoins Jamaica Tallawahs after helping them to the Caribbean T20 title last year.

Imad, a left-arm spinner who batted at six in Pakistan's Champions Trophy-winning team, sent off his passport with his visa application and is expecting it back tomorrow at the latest.

New Zealander Tom Latham, who arrived four weeks ago with a stress fracture of the foot, is due to have a protective boot removed on Monday.

If all is well, he could feature in some of next week's four games, starting with the visit of Nottinghamshire on Tuesday followed by a trip to Headingley the following day. He will be available for the rest of the season.

Leicestershire are joint bottom of the championship's second division with Durham, yet have won all three Blast games.

Like neighbours Northants they regularly find a way to prosper in T20 while struggling in the longer form.

Sunderland's Ben Raine, who has had injury troubles, has yet to feature in this season's Blast and bowling could be the Foxes' weakness, despite the impressive form of former Australia one-day international Clint McKay.

The attack also features paceman Matt Pillans and there are two other South African Kolpak signings, Cameron Delport and Colin Ackerman, in a useful top four.

They are joined by Australian Mark Cosgrove and New Zealander Luke Ronchi, who has a strike rate of 141 in 32 T20 internationals. He launched Leicestershire's innings with 46 off 23 balls in a nine-run win at Edgbaston.

Durham have had a ten-day break since losing their first two Blast games, but all of the squad for those matches, except Paul Collingwood, appeared in at least one of the two second team T20 games against Warwickshire at South Northumberland.

Cameron Steel, who batted at eight in the first match, was promoted to open in the second and staked a strong claim for a senior T20 debut by making 109 off 67 balls.

He shared a stand of 122 with South African Gareth Harte, who hit 61 off 35 balls, as Durham amassed 204 for five and wo by 36 runs. They lost the first game by five wickets., despite an economical spell from Graham Onions, who last appeared in the first team at Hove two months ago.