Beau Casson, the New South Wales left-arm wrist-spinner, must be counting the days until Australia’s selectors announce the Test squad to tour the West Indies in May. Stuart MacGill’s successful return at the end of the domestic season means he will be the first slow bowler chosen but Casson is firming as a possible back-up.Casson, 25, bowled unchanged in the second innings of the Blues’ Pura Cup final win and was halfway through his 30th over when he grabbed the match-winning wicket. His four for the game left him with a season tally of 29 at 35.13, which was nine fewer than the selectors’ other main option Bryce McGain, the Victoria legspinner who is 36 and played two more matches than Casson this summer.”It’s very flattering when someone mentions that you are in the frame, and that’s the main reason I came out here [to Sydney],” Casson told the . “I thought it was the best place to develop my craft. I would be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about it. Spinners do tend to mature a lot later, it is just the nature of what we do.”Casson’s move from Western Australia before 2006-07 initially looked questionable after he struggled through last summer with little impact. However, MacGill’s wrist surgery opened a door for him this season and after the prolific Doug Bollinger broke his foot late in the campaign, more wickets were suddenly up for grabs.”It was quite tough early on,” Casson said. “With our quicks going so well, the likes of Doug Bollinger killing it, there weren’t many chances to have long spells and develop some sort of rhythm.”The retirements of Shane Warne in 2006-07 and Brad Hogg in 2007-08 have left the selectors with few slow-bowling options – MacGill, McGain, Casson and Dan Cullen are the most likely choices. Regardless of who is picked the squad for the Caribbean trip will feature at least one man preparing for a Test debut, with Brad Haddin set to replace Adam Gilchrist behind the stumps.
Luke Wright hit an unbeaten 155, his highest first-class score, on a rain-hit third day at Lord’s as Sussex extended their lead to 440 over MCC. He added 179 with Robin Martin-Jenkins following a 108-run stand with Matt Prior for the fifth wicket during the 63 overs possible between the showers.Wright was in the thick of the action yesterday when he struck Steve Kirby on the head with a very sharp bouncer, forcing him to spend the night in hospital. Kirby was discharged with a clean bill of health around lunchtime and returned to the ground before being taken home and won’t take any further part in the match. Today, the only danger came if anyone got in the way of Wright’s powerful driving and cutting but with a bitingly cold wind blowing across the ground it wasn’t the day for fielding heroics.In his brief career Wright has shown his explosive batting in the one-day arena for club and country. The next stage of his development is to build innings in the longer format and this was a strong start to an important season. His century came off 145 balls when he drove a low full toss down the ground off Graham Onions, surpassing his previous best of 100 made against Loughborough University on his Sussex debut four years ago.”It’s always nice to get some early runs. Especially a hundred at Lord’s, it is always special,” said Wright. “I haven’t had too many friendlies since I got back [from Abu Dhabi] after having an injection in my shoulder. I just want to try and build on what has happened during the winter. One-day cricket went well last year, but it’s time to start concentrating on performing in Championship mode and try and break into the top six, to be a true allrounder.”Wright had moved quickly into his stride with a couple of straight drives and was quick to latch onto anything wide, while his one six was a pull over the invitingly short Grandstand boundary. He picked off James Tredwell towards the short side as well and, after reaching his century, cut loose adding his third fifty off 32 balls including 20 off one over against Adil Rashid. However, Rashid didn’t back down and returned for more during another encouraging performance.Prior, who has spoken ahead of the season about the possibility of becoming a specialist batsman if it means an England recall, found life tougher and lived a slightly charmed existence. He could have been run out on 15 from midwicket but the throw was wide, then edged wide of slip off Rashid, operating from the Pavilion End for the first time. A flashing drive went close to point before a flat-footed waft at the next delivery presented a simple catch to his opposite number, James Foster.Martin-Jenkins made use of any width on offer to pepper the off side to bring up his half century off 55 balls and continued to play with a freedom he wouldn’t be afforded in a Championship match. Bad light cut into the final session, but for those hardy few who had hung around – and stewards outnumbered them – they were given five overs late in the day allowing Wright time to reach his extra milestone.Chris Nash had appeared on course for his maiden first-class century the first of the season – an honour that eventually went to Ryan ten Doeschate in Essex’s match against Cambridge University – but lost his off stump to Onions for 90. It was Nash’s 13th fifty and he has yet to crack the century mark.Nash’s wicket followed soon after his captain, Chris Adams, had lobbed a simple return catch back to the persevering Charlie Shreck to miss out on useful time in the middle ahead of Sussex’s first Championship match against Hampshire next week. Depending on how serious they are about winning a declaration should following in the morning, weather permitting giving Sussex a day to complete a victory which would then send into the serious business in good heart.
The last time these teams met, Shane Warne smashed 16 off three balls in the last over to swing an unlikely victory for Rajasthan. Their fortunes have been contrasting since then; Rajasthan had a run of four straight wins before losing to Mumbai on Wednesday while star-studded Deccan have been patchy with a couple of wins among the losses.Deccan have the edge coming into this match following their win over Chennai on Tuesday and need a few more if they are to make the top four. Rajasthan, despite their strong position will no doubt be jolted after being rolled over for 103 – a tournament low by a side batting first – by Mumbai, inside just 17 overs, before losing by seven wickets. But this time they play at home, where they are yet to lose a game, and they will want that trend to continue and hence reclaim their position at the top of the table.
Adam Gilchrist v Warne. Both retired legends have shown no signs of rust and have been the pillars of their team’s victories so far.
Swapnil Asnodkar. The pint-sized opener, similar in style to Sri Lanka’s Romesh Kaluwitharana, has 131 runs from three games and has established himself as Rajasthan’s trump at the top of the order.
Yusuf Pathan and Shahid Afridi. Both are known to biff the ball around and are handy spin options as well.
Team news
Deccan will wait on VVS Laxman, who was unfit for the previous game with a hand injury. Otherwise, they will probably retain their winning combination.Deccan (probable) 1 Adam Gilchrist (capt/wk), 2 Herschelle Gibbs, 3 Scott Styris, 4 Rohit Sharma, 5 Shahid Afridi, 6 Venugopal Rao, 7 Sanjay Bangar, 8 Arjun Yadav, 9 RP Singh, 10 P Vijaykumar, 11 Pragyan OjhaRajasthan have an embarrassment of riches as far as overseas players are concerned. Younis Khan is yet to get a game, but none of their overseas recruits are in danger of losing their places to fit him in.Rajasthan Royals (probable) 1 Graeme Smith, 2 Swapnil Asnodkar, 3 Yusuf Pathan, 4 Shane Watson, 5 Mohammad Kaif, 6 Ravindra Jadeja, 7 Mahesh Rawat, 8 Shane Warne, 9 Sohail Tanvir, 10 Siddharth Trivedi, 11 Munaf Patel
Stats and trivia
Shane Watson is the leading run-scorer (208) and wicket-taker (9), for Rajasthan.
Yusuf Pathan’s strike-rate in Twenty20 is a massive 184.28, in 12 games.
Shahid Afridi has aggregated a paltry 46 in six games. Out of that, 40 have come in boundaries alone. Clearly, he’s not a big fan of singles.
Quotes
“The points table is of no relevance to us. I’m not aware and not going to encourage the guys to inspect it. We’re just going to improve our cricket and try and take it up to another level.” .”Mascarenhas will definitely be considered. He is the best finisher in the world.”
Mohammed Moosaje has been appointed as the South African team’s manager for a three-year term, and he will replace Logan Naidoo, who had served in a caretaker capacity since September last year. Moosajee, who was previously the team doctor, is also the chairman of the Highveld Lions franchise as well as a director on the board of Cricket South Africa (CSA).Gerald Majola, the chief executive of CSA, congratulated Moosajee while announcing his appointment. “We are delighted that Dr Moosajee has accepted CSA’s offer to be national team manager. He is already part of the cricket family and should have no problem settling into his new role.”Dr Moosajee has a great passion for sport, and we believe his experience and knowledge of cricket will hold him in good stead for this position.”Moosajee, meanwhile, spoke about his new role. “I am looking forward to this exciting new challenge. It’s definitely an advantage that I have worked intermittently with the team over the past five years.”My capacity as doctor of the team differs somewhat from that of team manager, but I endeavour to approach it with the same enthusiasm and professionalism that is required of the job.”Moosajee’s appointment was also welcomed Tony Irish, the chairman of the South African Cricketers’ Association. The players appreciate having had some input into this appointment. Mohammed has all the attributes necessary for a successful team manager and he is highly respected by the players.”His tenure begins on June 1, and his first assignment as manager will be South Africa’s tour of England in July.
Chris Cairns admits that his reputation in cricket has been “scorched” despite being found not guilty of perjury and perverting the course of justice at the end of a nine-week trial at Southwark Crown Court in London.The verdict, which was delivered at 10.40am on Monday morning, was reached after 10 hours and 17 minutes of deliberation and greeted with a wave of relief from Cairns, who has effectively been cleared of any involvement in match-fixing.He admitted afterwards that he had not initially heard the verdict as relayed to the court by the foreman of the jury, but quickly saw the jubilation on the face of his co-defendant Andrew Fitch-Holland, who was also acquitted of perverting the course of justice.The first count, that of perjury, would have carried a maximum of seven years’ imprisonment and related to his successful 2012 libel action against Lalit Modi, the founder of the IPL, at the High Court in London. That action arose as a result of a tweet sent by Modi in 2010 accusing Cairns of match-fixing in the now-defunct Indian Cricket League (ICL).In the course of the libel trial, Cairns stated that he had “never” cheated at cricket, and nor would he contemplate doing so, a statement that attracted the interests of the Crown Prosecution Service in the wake of leaked testimony given by his former team-mates, Lou Vincent and Brendon McCullum, to the ICC’s anti-corruption and security unit (ACSU).The nine witnesses called to give evidence by the prosecution included a host of cricket’s most recognisable names – including McCullum, Ricky Ponting and Daniel Vettori. However, Mr Justice Sweeney, the presiding judge, stated that the evidence of two of the three “key” witnesses – Vincent, his ex-wife Eleanor Riley and McCullum – needed to be accepted as true for the perjury charge to be upheld.Of those, the judge had warned the jury to treat Vincent’s evidence with care, given his self-confessed reputation as a match-fixer. Although they were unable to reach a unanimous verdict, they required only half an hour this morning to reach their majority decision.Chris Cairns was found not guilty of perjury and perverting the course of justice•AFP
Speaking outside court, Cairns said: “My thanks and my family’s thanks go to the jury for reaching the verdict they did. My legal team have been superb, I can’t thank them enough.”It’s been hell for the last five or so years and in particular the last couple of years and now having won the legal case in the Royal Courts and now here … I’ve been through the mill and come out the other side. Just a very happy man.”Reputationally I’m completely scorched … burnt, completely. But it hasn’t stopped me and it won’t stop me. For my dad [former New Zealand cricketer Lance], back in New Zealand, he’s a cricket man through and through – I don’t know what cricket holds for me, I’m just happy for my father and my mother that they can hold their heads high in New Zealand.”Cairns, who choked up when speaking of his wife and children back in New Zealand, also ruled out a return to the world of cricket. “I think it would be a pretty hard environment to go back into, there’s been a lot of damage done and that’s unfortunate and sad,” he said.Asked what he would say to McCullum he just replied: “Why?”Barrister Fitch-Holland had been accused of trying to persuade Vincent, who was last year given a life ban from cricket, to provide a false witness statement in support of Cairns for the 2012 libel case.Fitch-Holland said: “I am enormously pleased that the personal and professional nightmare that began with a dawn raid on my home some 18 months ago has finally ended. I said when this matter was first charged that I had complete faith in the justice system of which I have always been proud to be a part of and which I continue to be proud to be a part of.”Despite the verdict, Cairns tempered his jubilation following a case in which he said there were “no winners”. He is already aware that Modi is contemplating launching a civil claim in the wake of the new evidence that has come to light in the past nine weeks, and admitted afterwards: “I’ll think about Mr Modi maybe next week. I’ll deal with this one at the moment and get through today.”Modi, who was forced to pay £90,000 in damages and £1.4m in legal costs following his 2012 libel defeat, issued a statement shortly after the verdict was announced.”I am aware of the verdict at Southwark Crown Court,” he said on Twitter. “As you know I am limited in what I can say as I am restricted by the injunction put in place following the 2012 libel trial. I will consider how this affects my own civil claim against Mr Cairns in due course.”
As cricket’s footprint on the Australian summer grows in unprecedented fashion, Cricket Australia’s chief executive James Sutherland insists that the burgeoning Big Bash League is acting as a complementary, not competing, agent to the traditional Test summer.A staggering crowd of 80,883 at the MCG for the Melbourne BBL derby on Saturday night was followed up by another record gathering at the WACA Ground. A strong SCG crowd of 32,086 for day one of the New Year’s Test between Australia and the West Indies – despite indifferent weather – will be followed up by a gathering in the region of 25,000 for another BBL fixture at the Gabba, meaning more than 150,000 spectators will have watched the game over two days across four cities.When combined with uniformly strong television audiences, including a groundbreaking 372,000 average for the curtain-raising WBBL match at the MCG ahead of the Stars’ BBL defeat of the Renegades, the game’s hold over the first week of 2016 in Australia is complete. Talk of the MCG crowd as transformational is understandable, but it should also be combined with concurrent attendances in other parts of the country.While it has been suggested more than once that the BBL is detracting from Tests, Sutherland told ESPNcricinfo that the tournament was always intended to complement the five-day game – and that it had given CA the ability to draw crowds across the country in ways previously unheard of during the international programme.”One of the things that people forget from time to time is the thing the BBL has allowed us to do, [it has] allowed us to provide cricket content in other parts of Australia during the Test cricket season,” Sutherland said. “Right now we’re playing in other parts of the country and people are watching the cricket during the day [on TV] then saying ‘Let’s go and watch a Big Bash League game’.”One of the unusual things about Test cricket is it’s the premium format but it goes for a week and your best players can’t be playing anywhere else but where they are. We’re such a big country, it’s not as if people from Brisbane can just easily turn up to a Boxing Day or New Year’s Test match, but we can give them quality cricket content to supplement what they’re seeing on TV, and I think that’s one of the great benefits in a complementary sense about the way the BBL is working.”The contrast with the previous instance in which the struggling West Indies team were a part of the summer Test schedule is stark. In 2009-10, international matches were watched by the poorest crowds and slimmest television audiences in some years, and CA ran at a considerable loss for the season, cutting into cash reserves.A sense of stagnation hung over CA at the time, fuelling the advent of the Australian Cricket Conference, which was the catalyst for numerous reforms including the BBL and long overdue changes to CA’s governance. Though the Caribbean side have deteriorated since that visit, Australian cricket no longer relies exclusively upon international matches to maintain interest and balance the books, and in many ways can now build a wider audience than previously. Sutherland spoke of a “symbiotic” relationship between T20, Tests and ODIs down under where the game benefits overall.”There’s no doubt the BBL is on a trend line upwards in terms of its popularity and part of that is an awareness thing,” Sutherland said. “I think there’s a growing awareness and a growing allegiance to teams and the whole concept of the BBL, which is pleasing. Clearly we’re targeting certain markets for growth and bringing new people to the game and it’s so far been successful in doing that.”How you then overlay that increase with the natural ups and downs you get from our four-year cycle of international cricket, which has been going for 40 years … we have always got bigger crowds to Ashes matches. At the moment India is probably the second biggest drawing country, and South Africa has been strong as well. But if you go back 20 or so years, it was West Indies who were the big drawcard behind an Ashes series, so there’s that natural fluctuation.”We haven’t done a major review of this season just yet, we’re right in the middle of it, but it’s all positive and I think we’ll find to some extent they’re working together. Our aim is to have them working in a complementary fashion and to have some sort of symbiotic relationship between the three formats of the game that keep the game on the radar in a positive sense.”As for the crowds and broadcast audience numbers generated over the past 48 hours, Sutherland was understandably chuffed. “To have more than 100,000 people attend Big Bash League matches on the same day was a great occasion for our sport and a genuine milestone in the short history of the league,” he said. “And of course, these crowds were complemented by big TV numbers of more than a million viewers.”Although the Big Bash League is continuing to develop, it is successfully delivering on its purpose to attract kids, families and females to cricket. We took as much delight from the WBBL results. Almost 13,000 people came to watch the local derby at the MCG, with the TV audience peaking at more than 400,000 viewers on Ten’s main channel. It just goes to show the potential for women’s cricket in Australia.”
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsSt George’s Park, the oldest of South Africa’s international venues, stayed true to its nature by overseeing a one-day international with an old-fashioned flavour on an inhibiting surface. A keenly-fought affair, in which both innings seemed locked together throughout, had the makings of a last-over nail-biter. Instead, thanks to Jos Buttler’s sudden lift of tempo, it fell England’s way by five wickets with 20 balls to spare.Inhibitions? Not when you have just won your first IPL contract and are nearly £400,000 richer. Buttler gave the impression he would have played just as freely on the cobbled streets of his native Somerset as he logged an unbeaten 48 from 28 balls.Three successive fours off Kyle Abbott, the first of them streaky (where was South Africa’s slip?) then three sixes in a row off Imran Tahir in the following over sent England scooting to victory. South Africa’s pace bowling had gone up a notch since their defeat in Bloemfontein but they now trail 2-0 in the five-match series.It was Alex Hales’ 99 from 124 balls that placed England for victory, although there was work to be done when he was fifth out with 59 needed from 52 balls – caught down the leg side pulling at Abbott with visions of a hundred. Front-foot pushes and crafted singles had supplanted what has become the common avalanche of sixes but the incoming Buttler recognised only a day of dreamy blue skies.Hales has played more exciting innings, he has played fine innings in more draining conditions, but this was one of his most judicious ODI affairs. The Test series did not advertise the emergence of a rounder game, but his selectivity did here. With the exception of AB de Villiers, whose 73 from 91 balls was a notable return to form, he managed the conditions better than anybody.Abbott, fit again after hamstring trouble, put in a combative shift, a bowler of great physicality, nipping one through to gate to bowl Jason Roy for 14 – Norton anti-virus would insist on a patch to stem that weakness. Root was at his most conservative, labouring 64 balls over 38 before he tried to advance to Abbott and deflected a rising ball into his stumps.Eoin Morgan came in at No 4 – shrewdly, no promotion for Buttler on this occasion with grafting to be done – and kept England in touch with the rate with judicious sixes against Imran Tahir and Farhaan Behardien before Morkel defeated his blow-down-the-ground shot with a wide cutter.Stokes’ fate was an eventful duck. Tahir nearly had him twice in an over, sweep and reverse sweep both failing in turn with a review needed to spare him on the second occasion. In the next over he deflected Morkel into his stumps. The pressure was on England, but not, it became evident, on Buttler.Financially, Chris Morris was even better served than Buttler by the IPL auction – he was sitting on a cool million dollars after a bidding frenzy that eventually saw him move to Delhi Daredevils. No matter: he had to watch from the outer. South Africa, seemingly of different persuasion, dropped both him and his Bloemfontein new-ball partner Marchant de Lange.The match did not turn solely on Buttler’s late merrymaking – Chris Jordan also played a crucial part in South Africa’s innings. De Villiers came into the match with three successive ducks to end the Test series and 8 in the opening ODI, but he did the hard yards, his form flooded back and he signalled his intentions as South Africa reached the last 10 overs by lashing Jordan over midwicket for six.But Jordan is a multi-faceted cricketer, dangerous with the bat, outperformed by few at slip and in the deep, and when de Villiers failed to middle another mighty hit over the leg side off Ben Stokes in the following over, Jordan was equal to the challenge.It was a hugely difficult catch, a white ball falling out of a blue sky, a swirling breeze strong enough to fleck the sea and shake the branches of the trees outside the ground holding the ball just within range: Jordan’s range anyway as he dashed back full tilt to take the ball over his shoulder at mid-on with remarkable poise.De Villiers had built his own stage in the early part of South Africa’s innings but the final onslaught which could have carried the game away from England never materialised. Only 64 came from the last 10 – respectable but not a game changer.By the 20th over, South Africa had been three down for 98, Hashim Amla bowled when Reece Topley’s semblance of inswing developed into something straighter, Quinton de Kock’s bountiful run of form ended when Stokes had him lbw with a fullish delivery, and du Plessis’ confident innings fell just short of a half-century when Adil Rashid found drift and turn to have him caught at slip.Rashid and Moeen Ali throttled the mid-innings, both stints completed by the 37th over. That left a lot of onus on Jordan, and he could have done without Buttler spilling a very acceptable catch, one-handed to his left, when JP Duminy tried to run him to third man on 37. Five overs for 33 did not flatter him, but the catch released him from his troubles and Topley, maintaining a full length, squeezed South Africa to a chaseable total.A slow pitch was to get slower still. The breeze was lifting. The match was in the balance. Hales got a break on 17 when he scrunched a full toss from Tahir into no-man’s land and played with great responsibility. Then came Buttler, the liveliest breeze of all.
West Ham United and midfielder Tomas Soucek are reportedly progressing with talks regarding an extension of the Czech Republic international’s contract with the Hammers.
What’s the latest?
According to Football Insider, the east London outfit are confident that a deal will be reached between both parties to extend Soucek’s contract at West Ham after talks were opened last week, with the 26-year-old’s deal set to expire in 2024.
Speaking to Football Insider, former Leeds goalkeeper and pundit Paddy Kenny said:” It would be massive statement for West Ham to tie him down. It would be a statement of intent as well after they didn’t sign anyone in January.
“Let’s see if they get this one done because you never know with things like this.
“West Ham will want it done quickly I’m sure. It would be a boost for the whole club.”
Since joining the Hammers from Slavia Prague in July 2020, the Czech has been a revelation in the middle of the park for David Moyes’ side and therefore it’s no surprise that West Ham want to tie the midfielder down to a new deal.
After a stellar debut campaign in claret and blue last season, it was reported by The Athletic that Manchester United were already planning a swoop for the 26-year-old last summer, however, nothing serious materialised.
Although, you wouldn’t put it past United or another elite club to attempt a swoop for Soucek this summer, hence why the Hammers are keen to extend the midfielder’s deal.
West Ham must extend Soucek’s contract
With West Ham still in the hunt for Champions League football, it’s vital that Moyes has as many players fit and focused as possible, with Soucek certainly one of the Scotsman’s key assets.
The Hammers are sat in fifth and are just one point behind fourth-placed Manchester United. However, games in hand won’t be doing them any favours.
United have one game in hand on the east Londoners whilst city rivals Arsenal in sixth are level on points (42) and have three games in hand, meaning that a top-four finish is currently well out of their hands.
As well as the Premier League, Moyes’ side are still in the FA Cup and Europa League, with the final months of the season set to be hectic.
The turnaround at the London Stadium since Tomas Soucek’s arrival is certainly remarkable. Just days prior to his move to the capital, the midfielder’s current employers had secured Premier League survival on the final day of the season after a turbulent campaign.
Within the space of one season, the Hammers had gone from relegation fodder to pushing for Champions League qualification, eventually settling for a sixth-place finish last season.
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During that campaign, the former Slavia man didn’t miss a single minute of Premier League football, scoring ten goals in the process, making him a kingpin in Moyes’ bid to secure a European spot.
This season has been a similar story, with the 26-year-old having missed just two league games through injury. Moreover, Soucek’s significance was highlighted during his absence particularly with the Hammers losing 3-2 to struggling Leeds at home.
The Czech’s rise at the London Stadium has been meteoric and West Ham will want to ensure that the midfielder plans to stay put for the coming seasons.
In other news: Moyes can finally axe “terrible” £40k-p/w flop as West Ham plot bid for £8.5m “animal”
Blackburn midfielder David Dunn has welcomed reports that Rovers could be interested in signing unsettled Stoke City striker James Beattie this summer.
Beattie has been told he can leave the Britannia Stadium should Stoke receive an offer in the region of the £2million they paid Sheffield United to sign him 18 months ago.
The 32-year-old has been out in the cold at the Potters since reports of a mid-season bust-up with manager Tony Pulis.
Beattie has been linked with a return to Ewood Park, where he started his career with a handful of appearances before moving on to Southampton.
Dunn, who himself left his first club only to return three years ago, is excited about a possible reunion with the bustling striker.
“I think the way we play he could be a good addition to the squad, so hopefully something might get sorted there,” he said.
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“I’m sure James is pretty keen on coming back home, but it depends on how much money the manager’s got and if he needs to shift a few around. We’ll wait and see.”
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Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Michael Kightly has confirmed that he faces a race against time to try and be fit for action at the start of next season.
The 24-year-old missed most of Wolves' first season back in the Premier League due to injuries and he is currently fighting back from tendon problems in both of his knees.
He told the Express & Star:"I don't want to set too many targets. I'd like to be back at some stage of pre-season, but it won't be the start of it.
"I'm feeling a lot more positive now and looking forward to cracking on with pre-season. I'd hope to play some part of a game in pre-season.
"But this injury is quite intense and something you can't rush back from. I've been out too long now to rush back and suffer a setback. To go back straight into that would put me back.
"Hopefully I can play some part of a pre-season friendly.
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"The rehab has been going well and the specialists are really happy. I had another injection a few weeks ago and had to rest it for a couple of weeks.
"Other than that, I've been working hard with the physios and have progressed massively."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email