NEIL MacRae is backing more of his Caley Highlanders to stake their claims for Saltires selection.

MacRae’s troops will launch their bid for a hat-trick of regional titles later this month.

Their success has seen a clutch of players make the breakthrough with Forfarshire’s Matty Parker and Arbroath duo Calvin Burnett and Marc Petrie all featuring.

Now MacRae says he has more young stars ready to follow in their footsteps.

He said: “We’ve played good positive cricket over the last two years and the team has been rewarded with two titles.

“But individuals have also benefited with guys breaking into the Saltires side.

“Hopefully we can push a few more through and I’d expect guys like Umair Mohammed and Michael Leask to be knocking on the door.

“They are both dynamic players and the T20 and 40-over formats will allow them to show their skills.”

The Regional Series kicks off this Sunday when Western Warriors travel to face the Eastern Knights at Goldenacre.

Caley, meanwhile, open their title defence against the Warriors the following week.