CRICKET: Ireland captain Trent Johnston has made himself available for this weekend's C&G Trophy match against Essex in Chelmsford despite breaking a finger in the victory over Gloucestershire in Bristol on Sunday, writes James Fitzgerald.

Johnston played a game the following day against Glamorgan in Cardiff and managed to take three wickets.

He found out yesterday that there was a fracture in the third finger on his right hand. However, the Clontarf all-rounder has declared himself available for selection for Sunday's match and it is thought he will play.

"I should be resting it for four to five weeks but I told Adi (Birrell, the national coach) that I want to keep playing," Johnston said.

A squad of 13 will be selected today after Ireland A team's final match in the EurAsia Series in Abu Dhabi. The A squad will arrive home before Sunday, so those players will be available for the game in Chelmsford.

One major doubt is Eoin Morgan, who may be picked to play for Middlesex against Hampshire in Lord's on the same day.

If Morgan does play for Middlesex he will be ineligible to play any more C&G games for Ireland.