Yorkshire can figure in the hunt for trophies this summer, according to England all-rounder Tim Bresnan.

The White Rose county start their summer with a County Championship clash against Warwickshire at Edgbaston on Friday, with many tipping them to feature at the wrong end of the LV Division One table rather than the right end.

A number of bookmakers even have them as red-hot favourites to finish bottom of the pile.

But Bresnan is being positive as he looks forward to a campaign which sees new captain Andrew Gale take over the leadership reins from Anthony McGrath.

“I’ve think we’ve got a core of players that can have us challenging for a top four spot,” said the 25-year-old. “If we get a little bit of luck we could even win it.

“We’re probably looking at holding our own in the Championship, but I think you’ve always got to err on the positive side of things.

“Once you start to think only about avoiding relegation, you’re definitely heading in the wrong direction.

“In one-day cricket, I don’t see any reason why we can’t get near winning trophies because we’ve got the talent, energy and enthusiasm. The fielding side that we’ve got can be red-hot at times.

“We’re a young side who are going to make a few mistakes, but then you will also see some glimpses of brilliance from us.”

There is no doubt that Yorkshire’s first-choice 11 in four-day cricket is a dangerous one capable of beating any of the other eight sides in the league, but the problems could come through injuries and international call-ups.

Director of professional cricket Martyn Moxon has already encountered problem after problem with regards to the club’s overseas signings.

Ryan Harris looks set to be unavailable for most of the season, if not all of it, while West Indian quick Tino Best is still awaiting a work permit before he can begin his stint as early season cover.

And then Bresnan and Ajmal Shahzad could be unavailable for large parts of the season due to their England duties, starting with the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean at the end of the month.

Yorkshire could be without the pair for up to four Championship matches if England have a good tournament.

Bresnan said: “I’d love to be around for the whole season to help Yorkshire win things.

“But, as Martyn will tell you, that’s Yorkshire’s role. They are there to produce England players.

“Over the last year or so, you’ve had myself, Ajmal, Adil Rashid, Andrew Gale, David Wainwright, Joe Root, Joe Sayers and Azeem Rafiq all representing their country.

“Unfortunately that can sometimes be to the detriment of Yorkshire as a club in terms of winning trophies. But, ultimately, Martyn will say ‘that’s my job’.”

Yorkshire will have Bresnan and Shahzad available for their four-day matches against Warwickshire and Somerset and possibly Kent.