YORKSHIRE are experts at dealing with player unavailability. Now the boot is on the other foot ahead of tomorrow's Roses clash at Headingley.

The Yorkshire team continue to be without their six England players on Champions Trophy duty for their latest Specsavers County Championship fixture – but Lancashire are also missing at least three key players due to injury or international duty.

New-ball bowlers Jimmy Anderson and Kyle Jarvis are out with a torn groin and broken thumb respectively, while batsman Liam Livingstone is with the Lions.

"We know ourselves when you have quality players missing it leaves a hole and you've got to fill it," said Yorkshire director of cricket Martyn Moxon.

"We've been able to do that pretty well over the last few years. We'll see whether Lancashire can do the same.

"They've got Jordan Clark to come back if he's fit (back injury). He's done well for them but Anderson is a big loss because he's a world-class bowler.

"You're going to miss somebody like him, particularly at Headingley. Those are big boots to fill – but you can't take Lancashire lightly.

"They're a competitive outfit. Although they'll be missing a few, we're still going to have to play well to beat them."

This is a key fixture for Yorkshire, who sit fifth in Division One six points behind Lancashire and 23 adrift of leaders Essex after four games.

It is the Roses duo's game in hand on the pace-setters and only Yorkshire's second home Championship fixture of the season, having lost the first against Hampshire in April.

"It's proving that the league, as ever, is going to be competitive and tight, so every point is going to be vital," said Moxon.

"Ideally, it's a good time to win a game to get us right up there. It's important we try and get a win on the board to keep us in touch with the leading teams."

This is the first of four Championship matches in June for Yorkshire. They also face bottom side Somerset at Taunton, champions Middlesex at Lord's and second-placed Surrey in the day-night Headingley fixture.

Moxon said: "It's a busy period from Friday, particularly with a one-day quarter-final and potentially a semi-final. Then, hopefully, it's down to Lord's for the final.

"It's going to be an important period of the summer, in the same way as you look ahead to September and there's four Championship games in that month. That will be a big period as well. Pretty much all teams will be looking both up and down this season.

"It's been an okay start. There's been a lot of good things but also areas we could be better at. We have plenty in the tank.

"The good thing is that we're there or thereabouts having played okay. I'd like to think we can get all aspects of our game right.

"We've missed a few chances in the field. Nobody means to drop catches but they do make a difference. It's about taking those opportunities.

"It's about being ruthless with the bat. We haven't quite nailed that. Some individuals have. Obviously Gary Ballance has played fantastically.

"Individuals have scored big runs but as a group that top five really nailing it and firing together is something we're aiming for.

"The real good news is everyone's fit and available, apart from the England lads."