The Northern Knights face a tough challenge when they go to defending champions Leinster Lightning without the aid of any overseas players, and missing key personnel due to unavailability.

NCU Clubs were unwilling to release their professionals, primarily due to coaching commitments at their clubs and in local schools, but also for fear of them getting injured during the three-day game.

Mansoor Amjad, the CSN professional played in the six wicket loss to Lightning earlier this week, but he misses the trip to Clontarf, along with Nigel Jones and Gary Kidd, who are unavailable, while Peter Eakin isn't included in the line-up.

New Knights skipper James Shannon returns from his one-match suspension, with Shane Getkate and Stephen Bunting both recalled.

Waringstown batsman James McCollum is free from his university commitments, but Robert McKinley misses out due to exams.

The game at Clontarf starts at 11am on Tuesday (May 10) - live coverage as always on www.cricketeurope.com thanks to PWC, the official sponsor of The Northern Knights.

NORTHERN KNIGHTS v LEINSTER LIGHTNING (at Clontarf May 10-12)

• James Shannon (captain) (Instonians)
• Stephen Bunting (Instonians)
• Chris Dougherty (CIYMS)
• Phil Eaglestone (Waringstown)
• Shane Getkate (CSNI)
• Jamie Holmes (Carrickfergus)
• Graeme McCarter (CSNI)
• James McCollum (Waringstown)
• Jacob Mulder (North Down)
• Lee Nelson (Waringstown)
• Nikolai Smith (Instonians)
• Greg Thompson (Waringstown)