England batter Harry Brook is set to be available for the beginning of Yorkshire's Vitality County Championship campaign, according to White Rose head coach Ottis Gibson.

Brook withdrew from England's Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons and, following the death of his grandmother Pauline last month, he pulled out of a stint with Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League to be close to his family.

He has signalled to Yorkshire he is ready to resume his playing career, though, and Gibson is hopeful Brook will make his comeback for their Division Two opener against Leicestershire, starting on April 5.

Brook, who has not played any competitive cricket this year, could feature in a handful of matches in the championship before linking up with England ahead of their T20 World Cup title defence in June.

"Now that Brooky isn't going to the IPL, I suspect he's going to be available to us for the first few games, including Leicestershire," Gibson said in quotes on Yorkshire's website. "He loves playing for us."

Gibson suggested Yorkshire's prospects could be enhanced further in the early rounds by the availability of Joe Root, who like Brook excused himself from this year's IPL.

"Rooty is also going to be available for some games in that early period," Gibson added. "Having those two playing for us would be special."

Brook will not playing this week though, as today marks the start of a three-day game for Yorkshire at Headingley against Leeds/Bradford MCC Universities (11am start), which is open to members and supporters wanting to spectate.

Yorkshire keeper Harry Duke, like last year, is expected to play for the Universities team.

Gibson’s side then tackle Durham in a behind-closed-doors two-day game on Easter Sunday and Monday.

Durham play Durham University this week ahead of that fixture, with the latter’s line up to feature Yorkshire spinner Yash Vagadia.

Dom Bess picked up a slight quad strain while playing against Warwickshire in Abu Dhabi a few days ago, but the injury is not thought to be serious and he may even turn out for Yorkshire this week.