MAL Loye admits his Old Trafford team-mates are burdened by the expectation of landing Lancashire an elusive County Championship title.

The Red Rose county are chasing their first outright Championship since 1934, after finishing a narrow second to Sussex last summer.

It proved a double disappointment after also losing out to Sussex in the final of the C&G Trophy.

England batsman Loye joined the Old Trafford ranks after 12 years with his home county Northamptonshire, to win big trophies and ultimately international caps.

The latter goal has already born fruit for Loye, but the ambitious 34-year-old insists a club the size of Lancashire must now be landing the very highest prizes.

"It does get thrown down our necks a little bit, that we haven't won it (the Championship)," said Loye.

"It's fair enough at a club like this. Lancashire should be winning the Championship.

"It has affected us, but we can't keep going on about it. It's down to the players to ultimately bring it to the supporters.

"Obviously, expectations are high with Lancashire.

"It's always been the same here. I had many seasons at Northamptonshire and it isn't the same there as it is at Lancashire.

"When you come second, it's a disappointment. It's disappointing for us and the supporters as well."

Lancashire are currently in South Africa on their pre-season tour in preparation for the 2007 campaign.

After running Sussex close last summer, Lancashire are tipped to go one better this term, with overseas stars Brad Hodge and Muttiah Muralitharan on board.

Sri Lanka star Muralitharan has had three previous spells with the county in 1999, 2001 and 2005, taking 152 first-class wickets in 20 games.

Loye added: "Muttiah Muralitharan coming into the team is obviously a huge asset to us because in county cricket in the last four or five years, spinners have come into their own.

"I don't know how long he is going to be with us, but if he's here for a good chunk of the year, we'll probably be favourites.

"He's a world class player, but all of us have got to perform. We realise that. When we've had him before, we generally haven't clicked as a team so we just can't rely on him."

Lancashire's Championship season gets underway at Warwickshire on Wednesday, April 18.