Rain set in at Old Trafford to swamp any chance of play today for the start of the most important Roses match in years so far as Yorkshire are concerned.

Top-of-the-table Yorkshire had Craig White back in their ranks but his Test colleague Darren Gough was refused permission to play in the game by England boss Duncan Fletcher.

Yorkshire are striving to achieve the double over Lancashire, whom they beat by seven wickets at Headingley last week, as it would make them overwhelming favourites to lift the Championship for the first time since 1968.

They would at the very least hold on to their 13-point lead and with a game in hand over most of their rivals they would be virtually untouchable with just four matches still to play.

When Yorkshire arrived at Old Trafford for some limbering up exercises they still had so many injury problems to sort out that skipper David Byas said he would still not name his team until shortly before the toss.

Although White's return was welcomed, Yorkshire could also have done with Gough's assistance because Matthew Hoggard, Steven Kirby and Ryan Sidebottom were all unable to make the trip for various reasons.

Hoggard's foot injury flared up while bowling for Yorkshire Phoenix on Sunday and he now has to rest for a further two weeks, Sidebottom suffered a groin strain during the Championship match with Surrey and Kirby was rested because he needs to recharge his batteries.

Said Byas: "The plan is to give him a few days off so that he will be firing on all cylinders again when we take on Leicestershire at Grace Road next week in another extremely important match."

Byas was hoping Chris Silverwood would be fit to return after being out with the back problem which caused him to pull out of the last Test. Paul Hutchison has been recalled as a possible replacement.

Michael Vaughan, who is gradually recovering from a knee operation, has been given permission by England to play for Yorkshire as soon as he his fit, and he is in the squad of 14, but Byas said he would be mainly there for practice purposes.

Farsley opener Chris Taylor retains his place in Yorkshire's squad, despite a disappointing debut against Surrey, and Australian-born Andy Gray will play alongside Richard Dawson if Yorkshire opt for two spinners.

Yorkshire were not informed by England until late Sunday evening that White could play and Gough must be left out. They were also told that White and Gough would be unavailable for the day-night match against Nottinghamshire Outlaws next Monday.

Updated: 15:47 Tuesday, August 07, 2001