Somerset captain Justin Langer says it is not yet certain that Marcus Trescothick will play in the Airtel Champions League.
Somerset captain Justin Langer admits it is not yet certain that Marcus Trescothick will play in the Champions League in India next month, despite being named in the county's 15-man squad.
Former England batsman Trescothick has not toured the sub-Continent since pulling out of his country's 2006 tour of India with a stress-related illness and also returned home after only one match of the 2006-07 Ashes series Down Under.
More recently, Trescothick backed out of appearing in Somerset's 2008 pre-season trip to the Middle East only after arriving at Heathrow Airport.
But Somerset are confident the opening batsman can play a key part in the new Twenty20 tournament after putting in place a series of measures to ensure his participation.
Langer, though, believes the player's condition is more important than the club's ambition and was far from equivocal when asked if Trescothick would definitely travel.
Fantastic player
"I'm hopeful he will, we have it in place that he will be playing, but only time will tell," he told Sky Sports News.
"It's a big step for him. The last time he tried to get on the plane and he had to come home, it's well documented in his book that he found it too hard to bear.
"But hopefully he's feeling well enough in himself and the measures are in place for him to belt the other teams around the park.
"Hopefully it works out because he is a fantastic player. It was breathtaking to watch him bat this year.
"But his health is more important than cricket."
The 33-year-old played a predictably significant part in helping Somerset reach the final of this summer's Twenty20 Cup and therefore qualify alongside winners Sussex for the high-profile and lucrative Champions League.
Trescothick will be joined in India by teenager Jos Buttler, named as a batsman and wicketkeeping cover for Craig Kieswetter in a squad.
Somerset begin their campaign against Deccan Chargers in Hyderabad on October 10. The tournament lasts for two weeks, and Somerset will play a maximum of six matches.
Somerset's Champions League squad: J Langer (captain), M Trescothick, Z de Bruyn, J Hildreth, C Kieswetter (wkt), P Trego, A Suppiah, A Thomas, M Waller, C Willoughby, W Durston, M Turner, O Banks, J Buttler, B Phillips.
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