Rankin on road to recovery

Click here for all the latest news from the domestic cricket scene, including exclusive interviews, team news, match reports and photo galleries

Warwickshire's new director of cricket Dougie Brown is optimistic Boyd Rankin will be fit for the start of the 2013 campaign.

Rankin has suffered a reaction to the metatarsal injury which sidelined him for the first half of last season.

Warwickshire are hoping Boyd Rankin will be fit for the start of the new domestic season. "That is the plan of action," confirmed Dougie Brown

However, the giant paceman has now removed the protective boot he was forced to wear and is set to be part of Warwickshire's pre-season trip to Barbados next month.

Brown said: "Boyd suffered a stress reaction to the same metatarsal in his right foot as last season.

"We have caught it early this time so hopefully we are able to nip it in the bud. The physio reckons it will take 12 weeks to heal from start to finish.

"He has come out of the protective boot after four weeks and the plan is for him to build things up at the back end of the Barbados trip with a view to being bowling-fit for the first game.

"Whether he starts the season we are not entirely sure but that is the plan of action."

Rankin, 28, has retired from playing international cricket with Ireland in the hope of forcing his way into England's plans, but the injury forced him to withdraw from the Lions' tour of Australia.

Want to know what's happening at your county? Interested in how your rivals are faring? Look no further than ecb.co.uk's county-by-county page