Bopara's England place is under threat after just 105 runs from seven innings

Essex coach Paul Grayson believes Ravi Bopara will benefit from a return to county cricket.

Bopara, who has averaged just 15 for England in the Ashes series, is in the Essex squad for Tuesday's County Championship match with Middlesex.

Grayson told BBC Essex: "He's coming back to some familiar faces and a dressing room he's very happy with.

"He's still a top-class player but he's just lost a bit of form and a bit of confidence," he added.

"Ravi's going to need some loving this week and hopefully he can go to Lord's and get some runs.

"So I have every confidence in Ravi and lets hope he gets a big hundred this week at Lord's."

Bopara's England team-mate Alastair Cook also returns to the county's 12-man squad as they look for only their third County Championship win of the season.

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