Fresh injury blow for Jones

Simon Jones' hopes of making an early impression with Worcestershire have been scuppered by a knee injury

Worcestershire and England fast bowler Simon Jones will undergo knee surgery tomorrow, ruling him out of the first two months of the season.

Jones, who has 18 Tests and eight one-day internationals to his name in an injury-hit career, was confident of forcing his way back into England's plans if he performed well in the early part of the campaign for Worcestershire.

However, a visit to the surgeon today revealed the former Glamorgan paceman has a new cartilage problem.

The 30-year-old underwent knee surgery last September after a successful first season at New Road in which he took 42 first-class wickets in nine games.

But this latest setback will rule him out until at least the middle of June.

A Worcestershire spokesperson said: "Simon Jones visited his surgeon today and has been informed of a new cartilage issue behind the kneecap.

"Simon will undergo surgery tomorrow and will be ruled out of playing for six to eight weeks."

Steve Rhodes, Worcestershire director of cricket, said: "It is bad news for Simon that this new problem has occurred, Simon will undergo arthroscopy on his left knee tomorrow to remove loose cartilage.

"The positive that can be taken from this is that Simon will be ready for the second part of the season.”

Jones has been dogged by knee problems in recent years and has not played Test cricket since the 2005 series when he picked up 18 wickets in four matches to help England to a 2-1 success.