PAUL Horton admits Lancashire need to score more runs if they are to challenge for the LV County Championship title in the second half of the season, writes CHRIS OSTICK.

The county return to four-day action tomorrow after a month of Twenty20 cricket with a tough trip to champions Sussex. And they have ground to make up on the leaders as they enter the game third from bottom.

Horton followed on from his player of the year display last season with two centuries and four half-centuries in the first six Championship matches of the campaign but the rest of the batting line-up has struggled for runs.

Horton has had a month off after being left out of the Twenty20 Cup side, but showed he is still in good nick with 79 for the seconds against Notts at Liverpool this week.

And he believes a win over Sussex could kick-start Lancashire's title challenge.

"I wouldn't say the game is a must win," said the 25-year-old. "But if we win we can gain a bit of momentum.

"We need a few wins and a few runs. You've seen the table, a win at Hove and we're top!

"June's been a weird one for me, I've not played a great deal of cricket. If I'm honest it has been frustrating. It's frustrating to miss out on any game for Lancashire. Everyone has frustrations but I'm happy I'm in the squad for tomorrow and hopefully I can put in a good performance and score some runs."

Horton, Iain Sutcliffe and wicketkeeper Luke Sutton, all in action at Liverpool, will return to the Championship squad, while Andrew Flintoff will play his first four-day match since straining his side in early May.

"I think Freddie is one of the best cricketers in the world and having him in the side is a good thing," said Horton. "He's one of the scariest bowlers in the country."

Lancashire's Tom Smith, whose season has been hit by a thigh injury, has joined Leicestershire on a month's loan.

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