Yorkshire captain David Byas today insisted that he did not believe Darren Gough's absence would adversely affect Yorkshire's chances of winning their Benson and Hedges Cup semi-final clash against Essex at Headingley tomorrow.

The Yorkshire and England strike bowler is nursing a broken right index finger after being struck by Allan Donald while batting in the First Test at Edgbaston on Friday and is expected to be out for up to a month.

"I am dreadfully disappointed for Goughie that he should have such bad luck as to break a finger on his return to Test cricket and before he had even bowled a ball," said Byas.

"It is a bitter blow for him and it must jeopardise his Test chances for later in the summer because even when he is fit again he will need to do some bowling before winning back his place in the England side.

"It is the sort of setback he doesn't need but you can rest assured that he will be eager to get back into action just as soon as he can and he will no doubt be wanting to bowl again even before he is fully fit."

The loss of their star attraction tomorrow is a big blow both for Yorkshire and their fans, but Byas refused to believe that Gough's absence will destroy Yorkshire's chances of reaching the 27th and last Benson and Hedges Cup final.

"I am sorry for Darren that he will be missing but delighted for whoever will be taking his place," said Byas.

"The good thing is that, despite yesterday's result, we have been doing well in the AXA League with young bowlers of limited experience who have performed brilliantly and whichever one of them comes in for Darren will certainly not be getting stage fright.

"I can assure everyone that he will be up for it and doing a capable job just as Darren would have done.

"We are not a one-man band and never will be. We have won without him before and will do so again."

Fast bowlers Ryan Sidebottom and Matthew Hoggard are candidates for Gough's place against Essex, as is left-arm spinner Richard Stemp, but Sidebottom is favourite to come in at this stage.

Byas has played Sidebottom regularly in the AXA League this season and the left-arm swing bowler has responded magnificently, helping to take Yorkshire to the top of the table with 13 wickets at under 11 runs apiece.

Against Glamorgan at Cardiff, Sidebottom cashed in with six wickets for 40 runs, the best 40-overs performance for Yorkshire since Paul Jarvis's six for 27 against Somerset at Taunton in 1989.

Although tickets have been selling steadily for the big game, the poor weather has held some people back and there is still room in all parts of the ground. Spectators who intend to buy a ticket on their arrival tomorrow are advised to get to Headingley early in order to prevent queues building up.

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