NAEEM Ashraf is all set for his first appearance of the season tomorrow as he steps out for new club against the side he made his name with in a huge Ramsbottom Cup tie.

The brilliant Ashraf, who is now playing as an amateur for in-form Clitheroe, makes his season bow after recovering from injuries suffered when he fell down the stairs at home.

But he is fit enough to take his place in the team for the first round tie at Cherry Tree, a club where he was professional for seven run-laden years.

And in another twist, Cherry Tree’s paid man Paul Turner was professional at Clitheroe for the past two years.

“It’s going to be interesting,” said Clitheroe skipper Peter Dibb. “Naeem is back fit and raring to go and it will be interesting to play against Paul – and it should be a good game.

“We targeted an improvement on last season and the Ramsbottom Cup is a tournament we are looking to do well in.

“I think we have a good cup team and when you look at some of the sides in our league, without any disrespect to them, they don’t have the bowling strength in depth and that can be a problem when bowlers are limited in overs.

“A lot of them have people bowling 20 overs a game whereas we have a good number of bowlers who are capable of sending down a quota of 10.

“So I think we are well set up for the cup - but it will be a really tough game at Cherry Tree because they have started the season well and they are a good side.”

Both sides are at full strength for the meeting at Preston Old Road.

Ramsbottom Cup holders face a tough trip to Earby for their first game in this year’s competition, while fancied Read have the use of Lancashire pace bowler Oliver Newby once again for their game with top flight new boys Salesbury.

Newby has been in form with both bat and ball while playing for his home club and could prove to be the difference as they chase a first Ramsbottom Cup since 2003.

Whalley face the long trip to Settle for their first round tie and Oswaldtwistle Immanuel head to Barnoldswick in a tasty-looking tie.

And the Arbories plays host to an intriguing clash as Great Harwood, winnes in 2001, travel to Padiham, who were cup holders two years ago.