JACK Brooks believes Liam Plunkett could have made the difference for England against the West Indies and is convinced the Yorkshire quick will be out to prove a point against Hampshire.

Fast bowler Plunkett missed all three Test matches in the Caribbean, with England's bowlers – apart from Jimmy Anderson – returning unconvincing performances in the drawn series.

Plunkett, 30, took 18 wickets during five Tests against Sri Lanka and India last summer before suffering an ankle injury.

But he was fully fit when he travelled to the West Indies in early April, with Brooks admitting his surprise that his former flatmate's extra pace was not utilised.

"I think England missed a trick by not playing Liam at all," said Brooks ahead of tomorrow's LV= County Championship match against Hampshire at Headingley.

"I obviously know him really well, as a friend as well as a cricketer, and he'll be gutted about not playing. He had such a good record last summer before he picked up a niggle.

"If they are going to take him on a tour like that, they should be ready to pick him. He's going out there as your quickest bowler and someone to impact on flat pitches.

"You need a bit more firepower in your attack. Jimmy Anderson is world-class, and he showed what he's capable of, while Stuart Broad showed in bits and pieces that he's getting his form back. But they didn't really look like taking wickets anywhere else.

"Rooty (Joe Root) was looking the most threatening spinner and Chris Jordan, although he's a good cricketer, didn't look like he was going to take a three or four-wicket spell, which Liam is capable of.

"Hopefully it's to our advantage. He'll want to prove a point this week and go out there and bowl some rockets and send some stumps flying.

"He's fit and firing and is definitely someone who can change a game in a bowling spell – or even coming in down the batting order. It's good to have someone like him back in the team."

Yorkshire (from): Gale, Bairstow, Bresnan, Brooks, Leaning, Lees, Lyth, Patterson, Plunkett, Pujara, Rashid, Rhodes.