Steve Patterson’s return to action will be crucial to Yorkshire’s chances of beating Derbyshire this week, according to team-mate Phil Jaques.

Patterson has recovered from a broken toe he suffered in their last LV= County Championship match against Surrey late last month, even confirming his fitness by taking four wickets for the second XI against the MCC Young Cricketers last week.

The 29-year-old seam bowler is one of only three ever-presents in Yorkshire’s Championship side this season alongside captain Andrew Gale, who has passed a fitness test on his broken left hand, and Adam Lyth.

One of county cricket’s most under-rated performers, Patterson is the White Rose side’s leading wicket-taker with 26 at 22.80.

“It’s an enormous boost for us,” said left-handed batsman Jaques.

“Patto's a great four-day bowler. He gets the ball in the right areas, hits the seam, but he also stems the runs as well.

“He builds pressure for guys at the other end. Builds pressure and attacks at the same time.

“It's great to have him back fit, and hopefully his toe doesn't give him too much trouble.”

Jaques is also making his return to Championship action after missing the Surrey draw with an abdominal strain, although he has played the last four Twenty20 matches.

Yorkshire head into their tenth four-day match of the season with four wins under their belt, including a come-from-behind win against Derbyshire at Headingley in late April-early May when they conceded a first-innings score of 475.

They are currently third in the table, 15 points behind leaders Sussex with a game in hand.

They are 4.5 points behind second-placed Durham, who have also played nine fixtures. They still have both to play.

“Every game's important now,” added Jaques, who also revealed that there is no update on a new contract for next season.

“It's so close towards the top, and we don't want to lose any ground on the rest of the pack, that's for sure. It's going to be a big game.

“We've started the season tremendously well in four-day cricket, and we'll just be looking to keep the ball rolling. Hopefully we can do all our basics really well and come out on top.

“Derbyshire are a good team. There's a reason why they got promoted last season. We've just got to do the simple things longer than they do.”