Roses matches are always very special fixtures.

But, with both us and Lancashire playing so many young and home-gown players at the moment, Wednesday’s clash at Liverpool promises to be extra special.

It’s fair to say that Lancashire’s batsmen have been in better form than we have so far this season but we’ve shown signs during the last two matches that things are starting to come together.

A few years ago when I nearly left Yorkshire, I did actually talk to Lancashire about moving there. I didn’t get as close to signing the papers or anything like that, but they were an option for me.

Unfortunately, I won’t be playing in the match this week, which is a big disappointment.

I started training again last week and I had a small reaction.

The early thought was to play for the Academy over the weekend but now we’re looking at me going with the seconds to Coventry this week.

If things go well, I could then join up with the first-team squad at Worcester on Sunday.

Two others who won’t be playing at Liverpool are Jonny Bairstow and Ajmal Shahzad. They have been called up to the England Lions squad for the tour match against Sri Lanka at Derby on Thursday.

With my Yorkshire hat on, I really do believe that they would be better served by playing in a Roses match of that magnitude.

I understand that the lads have no choice but to go and represent their country, but I’m sure they would have been desperate to play against Lancashire.

Winter tours with the Lions are good for a player’s development but scheduling a fixture during the summer can put quite a strain on counties.