Jones misses Worcestershire opener

England tourists Gareth Batty (left) and Steven Davies (right) are set to play against Hampshire but Simon Jones misses out

A knee injury keeps paceman Simon Jones out of Worcestershire’s return to LV= County Championship Division One, against Hampshire at the Rose Bowl.

The 30-year-old underwent surgery last September at the end of a successful first season at New Road, in which he took 42 wickets in nine first-class games, but has been unable to take part in their pre-season matches.

Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes is also without his overseas signing, Australian seamer Ashley Noffke, who links up with the county on Thursday.

However, the rest of his squad are available, including new signing Ian Fisher. The former Gloucestershire left-arm spinner is named in a 12-man squad.

Rhodes is adamant it is best not to rush Jones back from his latest injury and is confident their pre-season work will pay off.

“He’s a quality performer, and if we’ve got to be patient then I’m sure when we do get him out there on the park he’s going to be a huge benefit to us,” he told ecb.co.uk.

“The plan with Simon is to manage him in the right way and with the right amount of rest and the right amount of matches to play.”

Rhodes added: “We’ve had a full winter, it’s been a long winter, but the guys have worked extremely hard. I’m very proud of the way they worked.

“We capped it off with a pre-season tour of South Africa, which very much served it’s purpose.

"We’ve had 14 good day’s weather that enabled us to get outside and play some cricket and batsmen to get out in the middle and bowlers to hit their straps and get a rhythm going. We ready for the start of the season and just looking forward to it now.”

Nic Pothas takes charge of Hampshire while Dimitri Mascarenhas is on IPL duty

Jones said: “I'm getting there. I am working hard but we said that we won't rush things.

“This opening County Championship game at Hampshire, starting tomorrow, has come a bit too early for me.

“I want to come back when I am right, rather than coming back too early and rushing things.

“It has been a tough winter, and nothing comes easy, but I've worked hard on my fitness, strengthening my legs and looking after my knee.”

Jones is putting all his efforts into returning for his county and banished thoughts of an England recall.

“Any English cricketer wants to play for their country, but I am focusing on my cricket for Worcestershire,” he added.

“If I can play well for my county and get wickets I know I will be pushing for a place.

“I do believe in myself but I am not looking too far ahead. I'm just going to get as fit as I can.”

Hampshire wicketkeeper Nic Pothas will captain the hosts in the absence of Dimitri Mascarenhas, who is preparing for the Indian Premier League in South Africa, along with England team-mate Kevin Pietersen.

Team manager Giles White is also without overseas signing Marcus North. The all-rounder will join in time for Hampshire’s second championship match, against Warwickshire, following the conclusion of Australia’s tour of South Africa.

New signing Dominic Cork is set to make his debut following the veteran all-rounder’s release by Lancashire last year.

Jimmy Adams is set to partner Michael Carberry at the top of the order after Michael Brown’s move to Surrey.

Carberry said: "We opened a lot together in 2006 when I first signed. We were quite succesful then, we put on quite a few hundred partnerships and me and Jimmy bat really well together."

Liam Dawson is the sole spinner in Hampshire's squad, with Imran Tahir ruled out until June with a facial injury.

Billy Taylor is likely to feature ahead of David Balcombe, despite only being contracted to play one-day cricket.