DAVID Willey is desperate to get back to playing some cricket, says Yorkshire coach Andrew Gale ahead of his return to action at Derbyshire tomorrow.

Willey is in line to play in the White Rose’s crucial Royal London One-Day Cup clash at the 3aaa County Ground (11am).

The England all-rounder flew back from Mumbai last night, where he watched his Chennai Super Kings side win the Indian Premier League title on Sunday.

Unfortunately, Willey only played three matches for CSK. But he is ready to give the Vikings a timely boost as they look to build on Sunday’s North Group win at Leicestershire.

“Dave has been texting me every other day saying he’s desperate to play and ready,” said Gale.

“He wants to play some cricket.

“Since Christmas, he hasn’t played much at all, so he’s desperate to get back into it and prove his worth.

“Dave texted me on Sunday morning (before the IPL final) and said ‘What time do I get there on Tuesday?’ That’s how eager he is.

“He’s off the plane on Monday night wanting to be there at 2pm training on Tuesday.”

The Vikings face a Derbyshire side who have won three of their first four matches and are flying high in the North Group.

This is the first of three remaining fixtures for Gale and company in a keenly contested group, and they must finish in the top three in order to qualify for the knockouts.

To do that, they may have to win all of those fixtures, although two could do it if other results go their way.

Opening batsman Adam Lyth, who hit a superb unbeaten 132 in beating Leicestershire on Sunday, said: “We are nowhere near our best and won by nine wickets the other day, which is brilliant.

“I think we’re playing probably seven out of 10.

“If we can be better in the field and save those 15 or 20 runs, they’ll be getting 260 rather than 290 (like Leicester did).

“It was a good pitch, don’t get me wrong, but we’d make it a bit easier for our batters if we fielded better.

“Every game is going to be hard. There are some good teams out there. But, if we play like we know we can, I’m sure we can get a win.”

Lyth forms part of Vikings top three which is currently in stunning one-day form with the bat.

Opening partner Tom Kohler-Cadmore has 366 runs to his name and left Grace Road as the competition’s leading run-scorer, while India batsman Che Pujara has topped 50 in all four innings so far.

All three have posted 50-over centuries during the last fortnight.

“Tommy played beautifully up at Chester-le-Street (164) and again against Worcestershire (89), his old team,” added Lyth.

“I started well, but I’d not gone on and got a big score. That’s why Sunday was such a big knock for me.

“Galey spoke to me before the game and said ‘Thirties aren’t quite good enough’. I totally agree with that, and I had the bit between my teeth.

“Puj’s record in List A cricket is just ridiculous. He averages not far off 60! He showed his class at Leicester (75 not out), and hopefully he can keep doing it.”

Ben Coad is rested, Jonny Tattersall keeps the gloves and Steven Patterson continues with the captaincy duties and will do so throughout the Royal London One-Day Cup competition.

Yorkshire's 13-man squad v Derbyshire: Gary Ballance, Tim Bresnan, Harry Brook, Karl Carver, Matthew Fisher, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Adam Lyth, Steven Patterson (c), Liam Plunkett, Cheteshwar Pujara, Adil Rashid, Jonny Tattersall (wk), David Willey.