Mason suffers side injury

Matt Mason has suffered a new setback following last season's shoulder problems

Worcestershire’s injury-hit paceman Matt Mason is facing a race against time to be fit for the start of the new county season after suffering a fresh setback.

Mason is confident he has recovered from the shoulder problem which curtailed his involvement in the 2007 campaign and led to major winter surgery.

But the Australian picked up a slight side problem during pre-season which has cast a doubt over whether he will be considered for the LV County Championship derby with Warwickshire at Edgbaston on April 16.

Mason, speaking at the county’s pre-season media day at New Road, said: “Being ready for the first game is still a goal of mine. The shoulder is going terrifically well. I haven’t got a problem with that at all.

“Unfortunately I picked up a little niggle in my side during training last week when I was bowling.

“It was nothing major. I just stopped as a precaution which means I have missed the early pre-season games which I was keen to play in.

“I wouldn’t like to say I’m not going to play in the first game but it has made it that little bit harder for me to get enough overs in to be considered for selection I suppose.

“Personally I still want to do it but it is down to the coaching staff.”

Mason is relieved the shoulder injury which restricted to him one four-day appearance against Surrey last season is behind him.

He said: “I’ve had a structured programme for my rehab. I just haven’t gone back in and started bowling willy nilly.

“We are up to about 80% in terms of pace and I haven’t felt any discomfort. I’ve been bowling for six or seven weeks and I’m not that far away at all.

“I just want to get out on the park and bowl as many overs as I can.”