A number of players will be in the spotlight at St. George's during the final Cup Match trial on Saturday... none more so than last year's captain Clay Smith who still has some work to do to convince the selection committee he is worthy of a spot in the team.

Feelings are apparently still strong at the club that Smith should be dropped, initially because he left the club to join neighbours St. David's, but now also because he has failed to produce with the bat, scoring just 167 runs in eight innings.

Now it could all come down to his first of two visits to Wellington Oval this weekend for Saturday's final trial. The next day he will return with his new club for a crucial derby match in the league.

Yesterday Smith declined comment on his chances.

Saturday's trial will be of great importance for a number of players trying to break in, and a few others trying to hold on to spots.

"I'm just waiting to see what develops on Saturday night,'' said chairman of selectors Wendell Smith last night.

"I think it's taken for granted what type of player he (Clay) is as far as ability, but every player has to earn their position.'' Months ago, when the talk of his dropping first surfaced, Clay vowed to score enough runs to make it difficult for the selectors to overlook him.

That hasn't happened as he has only passed 50 once so far. He has also dropped himself further down the St. David's batting order. On Saturday in the Eastern Counties he did not bat as St. David's lost four wickets in their draw against Cleveland.

"What he's done is he's stepped aside to let other people come to the forefront, but what will be interesting to see is who comes out and establishes themselves in Cup Match,'' said Wendell of his younger brother.

"Lots of times the players who make a lot of runs during the season aren't necessarily the ones who come out and do it in Cup Match.'' Wendell stressed that he is only one of five selectors who will choose the team on Saturday night. He admits any number of players could secure places with good performances in the final trial, as colt Ryan Steede did last year to keep Clarkie Trott out in what was a major surprise.

Trott is again the leading wicket-taker (33 wickets) and looks certain this time to reclaim a spot. Along with his Bailey's Bay captain, Charlie Marshall, his place looks secure, though he hasn't forgotten what happened last year.

There could be some changes in the bowling department, where Trott could be a part of a three-pronged seam attack also containing captain Herbie Bascome and Gary Brangman, with all-rounders Lionel Cann and Mark Ray providing additional backup.

Veteran Arnold Manders could be retained for his batting and spin bowling, especially if Eugene (Calabash) Foggo isn't fit.

The spinner has just had a cast removed from his bowling hand, which was fractured recently in a fall off a stepladder at the club.

"Whether he's capable of playing on Saturday and performing, I don't know,'' said Smith.

Spinner David Adams, dropped last year, is another slow bowling option, while in the batting, opener Dexter Smith is pushing for a recall, possibly to open the batting with youngster Chris Foggo. Last year Manders opened the batting with Ray in the first innings and Glenn Blakeney in the second.

A number of promising teenagers are being considered and could make strong claims, including Foggo's team-mates at St. David's, OJ Pitcher and Landro Minors.

Wicket-keeper Dean Minors, at school abroad, is due to return for the trial match while another player who could quietly push himself forward is former captain Clevie Wade, the Southampton Rangers player-coach.

"He may be looking to do something big on the final trial,'' Smith concedes of Wade, a big day player.

"I guess there are a number of people who could cause some headaches if they perform.'' Whatever the composition of the team, Smith says there will be no chance of taking Somerset lightly, despite their apparent internal problems.

"That's a recipe for disaster,'' said Smith, also team coach.

"They still have some very good spinners and on the day we have to play to our potential.

"Matches aren't won in the media or by talk, but are won by performance on the day.''