ANTHONY McGrath expects Yorkshire to challenge for all three competitions this summer.

The ex-England all-rounder and county captain has left his role as a part-time coach at Headingley to join Essex as their assistant head coach on a full-time basis from next week.

McGrath has been working with the first-team squad during their last two County Championship triumphs, as well as their frustrating limited-overs campaigns.

The 40-year-old believes winning a hat-trick of Championships will be tough for his now former county.

However, he warns the rest of Division One: "I think they will take some stopping in the four-day stuff, that's without doubt," he said.

"It's a similar group of players with the experience and know-how of winning now.

"They've added David Willey, and the England players look like they will be available for the early part of the season.

"Last year, I was surprised how comfortably we won the league, with games left and points to spare. Not that the games were all easy.

"This year with the two powerhouses coming up (Lancashire and Surrey), they will be looking to make a real impact.

"The others will also want to bridge that gap. It's going to be tough.

"Expectations are even higher now. Every team will be gunning for Yorkshire, but with the England lads available, they will have a stronger side to pick from.

"Where the club want to make strides is in the one-dayers. We've been disappointing in the Twenty20, but they have the squad.

"There's no reason why they can't compete and go far in all three competitions."

With Essex in Division Two of the Championship, McGrath can still support Yorkshire's bid for four-day glory.

But it is different in the other two competitions, given the Eagles are a strong outfit with realistic designs on Twenty20 and one-day glory.

"It's a tough one," he added. "Having been involved with Yorkshire for so long, it will take me a while before I stop saying 'we'. The club is ingrained in me.

"I've still got a lot of mates in that dressing room who I want to do well, but if we cross paths, then my loyalties will lie with Essex, and my professional head will be on."