ESSEX will hope for a more fruitful journey when they head back down the M4 tonight for a clash with Glamorgan in Wales.

The Eagles made the 180-mile drive to Bristol on Friday, only to see their match with Gloucestershire rained off without a ball being bowled.

And with rain forecast at the Swalec Stadium in Cardiff tonight, Essex will be hoping the dark clouds stay away.

The gloomy weather has matched the club’s fortunes in recent weeks.

Essex have taken just five points from seven South Group games, and are seventh in the table.

And their cause has not been helped with news that all-rounder Scott Styris is the latest player to be ruled out through injury.

The Kiwi pulled up while bowling in the defeat to Somerset, and is expected to be out for a fortnight with a tear in his calf muscle.

He joins fellow all-rounders Graham Napier (hamstring injury) and Michael Comber (foot), and fast bowler Maurice Chambers (thigh), on the treatment table.

Essex coach Paul Grayson said: “Our FL t20 campaign has just not yet got going.

“We’ve four losses, a couple of wins and a wash-out, so we are all aware we’ve got a lot to do if we are to qualify now.

“We are looking at probably six or seven wins from our remaining nine matches to have a chance of getting in the top four.

“But it’s all about what we do, we know that if we play to the standards we are capable of achieving, then things can turn around very quickly.”

There was some good news for the club this week, however, with news that skipper James Foster has escaped a ban following his outburst against Surrey last week.

Foster has received three penalty points under the England and Wales Cricket Board’s disciplinary code.

The Essex keeper was reported by umpires David Millns and Trevor Jesty for showing serious dissent during the match at the Kia Oval. The penalty will remain on his record for two years.

Teenage fast bowler Reece Topley has been added to Essex t20 squad for the first time this season.

The match will be shown live on Sky Sports One from 7.10pm tonight.

Essex squad: Bopara, Shah, Walker, ten Doeschate, Foster, Wheater, Phillips, Southee, Wright, Masters, Westley, Pettini, Topley.