Jones on course for June return

Paceman Simon Jones has successfully undergone knee surgery and is "upbeat and determined" to prove his fitness for the second half of the season, according to Worcestershire chief executive Mark Newton.

Jones, the former England pace bowler, will now spend six to eight weeks recuperating with the aim of returning to action in late June.

It is the latest setback for the 30-year-old, who has had a succession of knee operations in recent years.

But, after speaking with him today, Newton has been impressed by the attitude and commitment of Jones to regain full fitness.

Mark Newton insists Simon Jones is in good spirits despite suffering another setback in his injury-chequered career

"Simon has had the operation. It went very smoothly and now he will undergo the six to eight weeks recuperation, as envisaged,” said Newton.

"I want to stress that the operation he had on his knee in the autumn has shown on the scans to be completely cleared up. This latest one is just an ordinary cartilage operation.

"I saw Simon today and he was as upbeat as you could expect for someone who had the news he has had recently.

"But his determination after so many knockbacks is extraordinary and he has that greater inner strength to succeed and to give things another go.

“To have him back fully fit and fresh for the second half of the season, when maybe some of the other bowlers may need a little rest, would be a massive boost for us and him.”

Meanwhile, Jones' team-mate and fellow paceman Kabir Ali is to have a scan to determine the extent of the hamstring injury he suffered during the Friends Provident Trophy win over Hampshire at the Rose Bowl yesterday.

He has been ruled out of the LV= County Championship match with Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge starting on Tuesday, a game in which Australian seamer Ashley Noffke is set to make his Worcestershire debut.