Smaller Leicestershire squad may help - Matthew Hoggard

Leicestershire captain Matthew Hoggard says the fact they have a smaller squad this season because of their financial worries may be a blessing in disguise.

Leicestershire, who host Glamorgan in their season opener on 8 April, posted a loss of more than £400,000 last year and have cut the squad to 16 this term.

Hoggard told BBC East Midlands Today: "When you only have 11 fit players, you don't have any selection headaches.

"It's nice to have options but it gives opportunities to the young guys."

He added: "The young guys have a lot of opportunities to show what they are capable of and they will be playing this year.

"We have a lot of youngsters and me, Nicko [Paul Nixon] and Claude [Henderson] will be providing the experienced heads."

The former England seamer hopes Leicestershire will benefit from a tricky season last time out.

"We can learn from last year and hopefully we can progress up the table," Hoggard said.

"It was a good learning curve. We've had our fair share of off-field problems but we have to put that behind us and are trying to rebuild.

"There are 16 people in the squad and we are going to need all 16 next year.

"It's a great atmosphere off the pitch and the players have put in such hard work that's it's a great atmosphere on the pitch too.

"Hopefully we can make sure this year is more profitable on the pitch and off the pitch."