LIAM PLUNKETT and David Willey are primed to have a big impact on Yorkshire's red-ball season, according to assistant coach Rich Pyrah.

The England limited-overs pair played just four times between them in last year's County Championship, twice apiece, restricted by either international commitments or injury.

But things are looking up in that regard. This summer, assuming they are selected for England's one-day and T20 squads, they could still be available for as many as 12 matches.

England play all their limited-overs internationals against Scotland, Australia and India between June 10 and July 17, in which time the White Rose county have Division One fixtures against Hampshire (June 20-23) and Surrey (June 25-28).

Both players will link up with the squad on the pre-season tour of South Africa next month, with Yorkshire travelling to Potchefstroom from March 7 to 20.

Plunkett will travel for the whole tour as he steps up his recovery from a hamstring injury, while Willey is due to arrive on March 14 having completed ODI duties with England in New Zealand.

Pyrah said: "We've seen when Liam plays, he gives us something different, that bit of extra pace and runs down the order.

"I think Dave has got a lot to offer in red-ball cricket. I've worked with him a lot this winter and his skills with the red ball are very good. He just hasn't had a chance to put them into practice.

"Especially with losing Sid (Ryan Sidebottom), that left-arm option will be big for us. Like Liam, he's explosive with the bat.

"We've worked quite hard on his action, getting him stronger at the crease. Hopefully it will give him an extra yard of pace.

"Also, we've worked on getting him behind the ball and swinging it because he wasn't really swinging the white ball last year, which is his key.

"We've got his wrist behind the ball and you've seen recently in Australia that he's started to swing it again. That's pleasing. If he can do it with the white ball, he'll definitely do it with the red.

"He's at the stage in his career where he needs to kick on and play regular cricket for us and England."

Yorkshire's squad are into their final fortnight of a demanding winter schedule indoors at Emerald Headingley before flying to Potchefstroom and the NWU PUK Sports Village, a facility Pyrah is familiar with.

"I've been twice with the Pro Coach camp and the facilities are unbelievable; the best in the world," he said, before explaining the change in pre-season tour venue from the United Arab Emirates, where the club have travelled to a number of times in recent years.

"We can get some really good training done. They have four or five cricket grounds, including a Test ground, rugby, football, swimming, Olympic gym and running track – you name it.

"We'll also come up against some really good opposition in Nottinghamshire and Leeds/Bradford in 50-over and red-ball games.

"We've worked on specific skills for red and white ball, so to play both out there will be good.

"We're going to spend some time as a team and get the environment how we want it. We'll also have a couple of days out as a team, which will be important.

"The lads have trained so well here, so to get out there to a great facility is reward for that in many ways."

Head coach Andrew Gale has named a 20-man squad for the 13-day trip, which includes six days of cricket. There is a two-day game against Notts, a two-day intra-squad match and 50-over clashes with Notts and Leeds/Bradford University.

As much as they are there to get cricket volume into the players, Pyrah insists they are also an opportunity to push cases for selection.

He said: "That's an open book. We underperformed in red-ball last year and kicked on in white-ball without anything to show for it. Whoever performs out there will be in contention to play."

On the winter in general, Pyrah added: "It's been really good. We've had some good individual groups.

"We've split the young bowlers up from the senior lads and worked hard with them on getting their skill levels up. That followed on from last winter. We've seen some good improvements and it will be nice to put it into practice come South Africa.

"We thought the fast-bowling programme worked really well last winter, so we've introduced a spin programme and a batting programme.

"The senior lads have come into those more towards the end, having had a bit more time off. It's worked pretty well."

On the hopes for success in 2018, the former all-rounder insisted: "We go into every competition trying to win it. So why not!

"We have a strong squad, including three very good overseas players to cover most of the season. There's no reason why we can't be successful."