FORMER England opener Mark Butcher is predicting another tough season for Gloucestershire with the LV= County Championship Division Two campaign fast approaching, writes Luke Baker.

Reasons to cheer were few and far between at Bristol in 2014 as Gloucestershire finished third from bottom in the table.

Only Derbyshire picked up fewer batting bonus points and no team earned fewer bowling points in Division Two.

And they have lost their two most potent weapons in the form of Alex Gidman – the only man to pass 1,000 Championship runs – and brother Will, who was their leading wicket-taker with 39.

Butcher admits it will be interesting to see how Geraint Jones gets on in his new role as joint-captain, but other than that the former opener is not holding out much hope for a happy campaign.

“Losing the Gidmans (Will and Alex) to Nottinghamshire and Worcestershire over the summer is a big blow to their chances,” said Butcher.

“They are two good players and it will be interesting to see how they adapt without them – I think it will be hard work for them.

“They’ve got Geraint Jones as captain now which is an interesting one – he’s a terrific cricketer but it’s an uphill battle there.

“It was tough last season and I don’t see it being any different this time around.

“I don’t really know if Geraint really is a captain or if he’s had much experience of that sort of role in the past but we will find out and it will be fascinating to see how he does.”

Injuries were Gloucestershire’s undoing last season with the likes of Craig Miles, Gareth Roderick, James Fuller and the now-retired Ian Saxelby missing most of the campaign.

That meant Gloucestershire were forced to field 24 players through the season, but even if this improves Butcher doesn’t believe Jones and co are in the promotion picture.

“I think Surrey will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season and Lancashire will be very disappointed if they don’t go straight back up,” he added.

“I think Derbyshire will be a good side as well and I guess Essex will fancy their chances once again.

“I would be surprised if Surrey, Derby and Lancs weren’t battling it out for promotion right at the very end.”

Keep up to date with the LV= County Championship this season with Mark Butcher’s weekly match previews and highlights of every game. Visit ecb.co.uk/lvcc to discover where Test stars are made.