MOEEN Ali is set to make his first appearance of the season for Worcestershire Rapids in today's home Royal London One-Day Cup clash with Lancashire Lightning (11am).

The England international is back available after being part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore squad in the Indian Premier League for the past six weeks.

Moeen played in the final five group matches but the Challengers did not to qualify for the knockout stages.

With England failing to select the 30-year-old for their first Test match against Pakistan at Lord’s his return to New Road will be a welcome boost for head coach Kevin Sharp and his players.

Rapids slipped off the top of the North Group after losing by nine runs via the Duckworth-Lewis method at Durham Jets on Friday.

Sharp and skipper Joe Leach said they were both delighted to be able to call upon the services of Moeen who helped Rapids reach the semi-finals of the 50-over competition last season.

“To get Mo back is always a big boost,” Sharp said.

“The guys love having him here and a man of his skill and ability in our team is precious.

“He is also a role model for them all to look up to in terms of their own aspirations of playing for England.”

Leach added: “To have Mo around is an absolute bonus.

“He is a high quality player and popular amongst the lads.

“We are all disappointed for him that he has missed out on that Test squad.

“But hopefully that will be our gain And knowing Mo, he will be hungry to come and put in performances for us and prove the selectors wrong.”

Rapids from: Moeen, Clarke, Head, Fell, Mitchell, D'Oliveira, Cox, Whiteley, Barnard, Leach, Tongue, Brown, Morris.