Former New Zealand captain Lee Germon may return to first-class cricket this summer.

Germon, who led the State Otago Volts in last summer's domestic one-day series, is under some pressure to be available for the four-dayers this year.

He will turn out next week for Otago in a four-day match against the New Zealand Academy side at Lincoln next week.

The match is important for several reasons. It will give the Otago players a rare early chance to get some match play on grass while from a New Zealand perspective the game is part of all-rounder Chris Cairns' rehabilitation from knee surgery.

Otago coach Glenn Turner is keen for both sides to get the most from the match and there is likely to be flexibility regarding its day-to-day operation. For example, if both sides have been bowled out over the first three days there is then the option to play a one-day game.

And Turner will be interested in the form of three of the Academy players as well as his own selection with the McCullum brothers, Nathan and Brendon, and Warren McSkimming all lining up for the Academy XI.

The match will be played at Lincoln from October 2-5.

The State Otago Volts squad for the game will be: Lee Germon (captain), Martyn Croy, Craig Cumming, Chris Gaffaney, Mike Hesson, Andrew Hore, Nathan Morland, Shayne O'Connor, Craig Pryor, Bradley Scott, David Sewell, Jordan Sheed, Scott Waide. Dick Quirk and Evan Marshall have been bracketed due to fitness concerns.

Unavailable due to injury or other commitments are James McMillan, Robbie Lawson, Kerry Walmsley and Mark Richardson, who will be involved in his own programme at the academy.

© CricInfo