Jake Gibson and Sandeep Patel could debut for Northern Districts (ND) when the side walks onto the University of Otago Oval tomorrow.

The pair come into the squad after consistent performances for the Northern Districts A side, further underlining the importance of ND places on its pathway system.

They have also been able to test themselves against world-class opposition this season when they turned out for a New Zealand XI against England in a two-day match, with Patel scoring an unbeaten half-century.

Gibson and Patel will be looking to help drive their side into a finals place with just three rounds remaining.

While Auckland and Canterbury have a healthy lead in first and second, just three points separate Otago in third and Central Stags in sixth and, a win over Otago will see ND leapfrog the southerners in the table.

Third-place will earn ND a spot in the elimination final, but a first or second-place finish will see ND host a home final.

Catching Auckland and Canterbury isn't out of the question, but ND will need to win at least two of their remaining three games to make this happen.

Round eight of the Ford Trophy begins Sunday, February 2, 11.00am at University of Otago Oval, Dunedin.

NORTHERN DISTRICTS FORD TROPHY SQUAD - ROUND EIGHT V OTAGO VOLTS

Joe Carter (c)                    

Peter Bocock                     

Katene Clarke                   

Henry Cooper

Anton Devcich                   

Jake Gibson                         

Brett Hampton                   

Sandeep Patel

Brett Randell                       

Anurag Verma                                             

Joe Walker                          

BJ Watling