WORCESTERSHIRE have received a massive derby boost with England all-rounder Moeen Ali being made available to play in the LV= County Championship clash against Warwickshire at Edgbaston.

England have agreed to allow the 27-year-old to face the Bears in the four-day clash which gets under way on Saturday.

Moeen has just returned from England’s tour of the West Indies in which he played in the final two Tests in Grenada and Bridgetown.

He played in Worcestershire’s opening Championship match against Yorkshire at New Road after suffering a side strain during the World Cup which caused him to miss the opening Test in Antigua.

Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes said: “We are delighted. Moeen played that one game for us at the start of the year coming back from injury.

“He is a player who wants the best for Worcestershire.We welcome him back and are very optimistic about him playing a major role.”

England are keen for Moeen to get some more overs under his belt ahead of the forthcoming Test series against New Zealand.