Anthony McGrath: Yorkshire face "massive" Surrey clash at The Oval

McGrath’s men are seventh in Division One, 31 points behind leaders Nottinghamshire but 15 points above second-bottom Leicestershire in the final relegation place.

Surrey are eighth, just three points above Leicestershire after winning just once this season.

“It’s always nice to beat Surrey, but in the context of the league it'd be massive,” McGrath said.

“We then have Essex, Somerset and Notts, who are all above us, so we can potentially take points from those teams as well.

“On the other side, if it's not a positive result against Surrey, then it's probably getting tight again, so there’s lots to play for.”

Yorkshire face Essex at Headingley from next Tuesday before hosting Somerset and travelling to Nottinghamshire for their final match at Trent Bridge.

The table remains tight, with Yorkshire only four points behind Glamorgan in fourth. McGrath is relishing the challenge despite potential concerns regarding the weather, with last week’s game against Leicestershire at Scarborough a rain-affected draw.

“I just think it's a brilliant last four games we've got,” McGrath said.

“I just hope the weather doesn't spoil it because we’d all been excited about the four days at Scarborough.

“But going to the Oval, then the two games at Headingley and then at Trent Bridge, they are four brilliant fixtures, so there’s lots to be excited about.”

Kuldeep, the left-arm wrist spinner, is back from international duty having played in India’s Test series in Sri Lanka.

The 31-year-old appeared five times for Yorkshire in the One-Day Cup, taking nine wickets at an average of 23.22.

“Kuldeep joins us down at the Oval and gives us a bit more strength, a bit more energy,” McGrath said.

“It depends obviously on the wicket we get down there (in terms of team selection).

"We’ve got options with two spinners, one spinner or with seam.

“We know that Kuldeep is a special bowler, and if the conditions are like they were at Hampshire recently, then I think he’s going to be a real challenge.

"But it depends what we get.”

Surrey have had a poor campaign by their high standards, but McGrath warned Yorkshire against reading too much into their opponents’ form.

Surrey’s solitary victory came against Sussex at The Oval in May; they have lost three games and drawn six.

“They've set such high standards, haven't they?” McGrath added.

“When they do have a little bit of a blip, everyone's probably looking and saying, ‘What's going on?’

“Sometimes it's just how it goes. Things go in cycles and other teams play better.”