WESTERN Warriors star Safy Sharif is out of today's Regional Series opener against the Eastern Knights.

The Saltires bowler is still suffering from the rib injury sustained during last month’s T20 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Warriors chiefs must do without a second new-ball bowler in York paceman Neil Laidlaw who is also injured.

Youngsters Scott McElnea and Alex Baum have been called up for their Warriors debuts against a star-studded Knights outfit who will be captained for the first time by Preston Mommsen.

Saltires batsman Mommsen is one of eight full caps in the Knights side who are favourites to end Caley Highlanders’ two-year reign as Regional champions.

Omer Ahmed, whose 18 wickets helped Carlton win the National League for the first time last season, makes his Knights debut.

The 40-over match takes place at Goldenacre, Edinburgh, with a noon start.

Meanwhile, Caley launch their title defence against the Warriors next weekend.

Eastern Knights (from): P Mommsen capt, F Watts, R Flannigan, E Chalmers, S Gilmour, G Drummond, S Chalmers, S Smith, S Olivier, O Ahmad, J Hutton, K Morton.

Western Warriors (from): R Berrington capt, C MacLeod, O Hussain, M Haq, M Iqbal, I Young, K Farid, J Edwards, A Baum, S McElnea, M Afzal, T McBride.