GARY Ballance has described Liam Plunkett's impending return to Yorkshire colours from injury as "a massive help".

Plunkett is in line to make his first competitive appearance of the season in the Royal London Cup one-day opener against Nottinghamshire Outlaws at Trent Bridge on Saturday.

The England quick has been out of action since picking up a calf injury in the nets ahead of the MCC's four-day clash with Middlesex in Abu Dhabi last month.

Plunkett was yesterday named in England's squads for one-day series against Ireland, starting next week, and South Africa, as well as the ICC Champions Trophy in June.

The 32-year-old will first play in tomorrow's Second XI Trophy one-day clash with Derbyshire at Clifton Park in York.

Then, if he gets through unscathed, he will play in the first three RL50 matches against Notts, Lancashire at Headingley on Monday and Worcestershire at New Road on Wednesday.

Yorkshire captain Ballance said: "Liam's an England international, so whenever we have him available to play, it's a massive help for us. It's good to have him back.

"He's obviously one of England's main bowlers in the one-day stuff. He's got that extra pace and he does a really good job. Hopefully he can do that for us as well over the next few games."

Plunkett was included in yesterday's squads alongside county colleagues Jonny Bairstow, Adil Rashid, Joe Root and David Willey.

He was the leading wicket-taker on either side with 10 from three matches during the one-day series in the West Indies at the start of last month, taking three more wickets than man of the series Chris Woakes.

Plunkett will be hoping to continue that type of form for Yorkshire in a bid to secure his place in the England team for the Champions Trophy.

Ballance said: "Not just him, we have got so many guys who are in and around that England squad. They'll all be chomping at the bit and hopefully they can start well for us."

Plunkett is not the only seamer close to a first-team return with Yorkshire as regular new-ball duo Jack Brooks (calf) and Ryan Sidebottom (hamstring) are also set to play in the second team within the next fortnight.

Their first first-team appearance of 2017 is likely to be the next Specsavers County Championship match against Lancashire at Emirates Old Trafford on May 19.

Yorkshire coach Andrew Gale said: "It will feel like we've got three new signings."