Lancashire all-rounder Tom Smith says he's been very frustrated by the lack of opportunities he's had this season.

The 21-year-old former Chorley pro's participation this season has been limited to one LV County Championship appearance against Surrey and a brief cameo in the game against Worcestershire last week when he stood in for James Anderson as he made his way back from Lord's after being released from the Test squad.

But Smith, who toured with the England A side to Bangladesh in the winter, said he was biding his time and waiting for his opportunity.

He said: "It's been very frustrating so far but with the England players coming back I always knew that I was going to miss out.

"When they come back, it's always myself or one of the others who are going to have to step down but that's understandable.

"But hopefully, when they go back to England, I'll go straight back into the side. I've really worked on my game in the time I've had out and hopefully I'll be able to come straight back in.

"I'm hungry to play and I just want to get out there and play. It's frustrating when you're not playing in the first team.

"I've been down playing for the seconds a couple of times and now I just want to get my place back in the first team. I just need to bide my time and wait for the opportunity to come and then hopefully take it.

"There's a lot of competition with the likes of myself, Oliver Newby and Kyle Hogg all fighting for a couple of spots in the team but we can only bide our time and keep doing the business wherever we play."

On his cameo against Worcestershire, Smith added: "I always knew that I might have to take a small part in the game when Jimmy went down to London. It was weird to bowl the one over and field for 20 minutes but you just have to get on with it."