Will Jefferson believes Notts are only a step away from finding the formula that can win them a one-day trophy - and aims to prove he's the missing link when the NatWest Pro-40 League gets underway.

NatWest Pro-40 League Division One
July 24: Warwickshire Bears v Notts Outlaws
Start time: 4.40pm

The Outlaws travel to Edgbaston for their opening fixture in the competition, with Jefferson likely to start only his seventh game for his new county after a frustrating time out with injuries followed by the appalling weather which has swept across the country in the past few weeks.

And the 27-year-old thinks Notts are ready to make a real push for the Division One title after a summer of near misses in the coloured kit so far.

He said: “Any cricket we can get at the moment would be fantastic. We’ve been playing some good one-day cricket all summer and yet haven’t got anything to show for it.

“We just missed out on the Friends Provident Trophy semi-finals and losing to Kent in the Twenty20 Cup was extremely disappointing.

“I’ve spent a lot of time either on the sidelines watching the rain fall or in rehab getting fit. I’m just dying for a run of matches in any form of cricket and am confident we can be challenging in the 40-over competition.”

Jefferson is expected to open the batting with skipper Stephen Fleming after a spell lower down the order in the Twenty20 Cup.

And while he fully understands the reasons for the change, he’s looking forward to returning to his favoured position in the order.

He added: “I do prefer playing as an opener and I think that’s where you will get the best out of me. In Twenty20 we wanted to go with Graeme Swann at the top of the order and it proved a success as he usually got us off to a flying start.

“But in 40-over cricket there’s a lot more time to build an innings and I’m confident I can have some big partnerships with Flem.”

Injury news:
AJ Harris is expected to open the bowling as the seamer is now over his knee injury.
Paul Franks has recovered from his ankle problem but will be rested ahead of the Championship match with Northants later in the week.
Charlie Shreck is now off crutches but is not expected to be back in contention for several weeks yet following his badly bruised shin.

Squad:
Fleming (capt), Jefferson, Wagh, Patel, Hussey, Shafayat, Read (wkt), Ealham, Swann, Clough, Ferley, Hogg, Harris.