Sidebottom nearing return

Ryan Sidebottom has missed most of the winter through injury but his return is close

England bowler Ryan Sidebottom is getting close to full fitness according to Nottinghamshire’s director of cricket Mike Newell.

The left-arm seamer has been suffering with a niggling Achilles injury for some time and it forced him to return early from England’s tour of the West Indies.

But Newell says he could be back close to the start of the new domestic season as Nottinghamshire plan their challenge for the LV County Championship Division One title after falling at the final fence last season.

Notts looked favourites going into the final round of matches but a home defeat to Hampshire allowed Durham to come in and lift the crown instead.

Will Jefferson (hamstring), Charlie Shreck (knee), Matt Wood (ankle), Graeme Swann (elbow) and Sidebottom will all miss this week’s friendly against Kent, where the club will give a trial to South African seam bowler Kyle Hodnett.

“We expect Will and Charlie to be fit in time for the new season and Ryan isn’t too far behind them,” said Newell.

“We’re thinking hard about our team selections in all competitions and although we’ve got around nine players pencilled in, there is an opportunity for people to stake a claim particularly in the opening partnership and at number six batsmen.

“We’ve had two good days of outdoor nets and our three days in Kent will give players an opportunity to find their sharpness.”

Darren Pattinson will arrive in Nottingham on April 9 and Adam Voges flies in on April 13.