Durham coach Campbell hints England skipper Stokes could take on Northants in crunch clash
Ben Stokes could be in line to play for Durham against Northants when the two teams meet in a huge Rothesay County Championship clash at Chester-le-Street on Friday.
The England red ball captain is not involved in this week's second Test against New Zealand after being handed a one-match suspension by the England & Wales Cricket Board.
Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson are under investigation after the pair hit the headlines for breaking the squad's midnight curfew following victory over the Black Caps in the first Test at Lord's 10 days ago.
Stokes has returned to the north east and is training with his Durham team-mates, and head coach Ryan Campbell has hinted the 35-year-old could be included to take on Darren Lehmann's side in what is a top-of-table Division Two clash.
"Our doors are always open for any of our Durham boys," Campbell told BBC Radio Newcastle.
"If Ben happens to walk through it, I will definitely be waiting there with arms open wide.
"Ben knows he made a mistake and broke the curfew, but some of the reaction has been a little over.
"I'm a bit old school, I like a beer after a game of cricket if you've got 10 days off but I'm not the coach, I don't run that system."
Stokes has played twice for Durham in the Championship already this season, and when asked if he will feature against Northants, Campbell suggested there is a "75 per cent chance" of him playing.
"Ben is a competitor and he loves to play and he wants to play," said Campbell. "He put his hand up and said he made a mistake.
"From what I've seen, he's in good spirits, he's back in training, working hard and the rest will take care of itself."
Friday's match sees leaders Durham entertain second-placed Northants, with the north east county holding an 18-point advantage.