DIRECTOR of cricket Steve Rhodes has called Northamptonshire Steelbacks “a dangerous side” and urged his Worcestershire Rapids players to be “on their mettle”.

Rapids have an early chance to avenge last Friday’s seven-wicket drubbing by Steelbacks when they host the North Group leaders in the NatWest T20 Blast at New Road today (5.30pm).

Steelbacks won the competition in 2013, finished runners-up last term to Lancashire and have won their opening three group matches this summer.

Worcestershire are second after three wins and a defeat from four matches. Rhodes said: “They are an extremely good T20 side. They won it three years ago and were runners-up last year. Steelbacks know how to play T20 cricket and we know how they play. They’ve got a very aggressive batting line-up that hits boundaries.

“They are a dangerous team and we know they will be tough opposition.”

A win for Rapids would see them leapfrog Steelbacks to the top of the group.

Alexei Kervezee (52 not out) and Brett D’Oliveira (34no) produced an unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 66 in 7.2 overs to overhaul Yorkshire Vikings’ 173-6 in front of around 4,000 fans in their last T20 outing at New Road.

Rhodes hopes New Zealander Matt Henry will be fit to play after suffering “a niggle” in his side during last week’s meeting with Steelbacks at Wantage Road.

The County were assessing Henry’s fitness yesterday at New Road before making a final decision.

Henry has played in four of the County’s six County Championship matches and all four T20 games.

The 24-year-old was not originally scheduled to play Royal London One-Day Cup matches as part of the programme mapped out with New Zealand.

Rhodes said: “We are very optimistic he will play.

“We will probably assess him day-by-day. He just got a tiny little niggle against Northants, so hopefully he will be OK.”

All-rounder Moeen Ali is on international duty with England and unavailable, while Ed Barnard is expected to come into the Rapids side.

Steelbacks have injury concerns over Richard Levi, who has scored 163 runs in three innings, and Rory Kleinveldt.

Bowler Olly Stone, who was injured celebrating the wicket of Moeen, is unlikely to play again this season after suffering a compact knee injury with anterior cruciate ligament and cartilage damage.

Rhodes said: “Northants certainly played an A game against us last week. They played extremely well and it was credit to them.

“When we play them today, we have got to be on our mettle because they are a good side.”

Rapids from: Michell, Kohler-Cadmore, Clarke, Kervezee, D’Oliveira, Whiteley, Cox, Barnard, Leach, Henry, Shantry, Morris, Russell, Rhodes.