Essex are confident left-arm seamer Reece Topley will be fit for the start of the 2014 county cricket season.
The 19-year-old sustained an lower back injury while on duty with the England Performance Programme in Australia last month.
As a result he was unavailable for selection in the England Lions party that has just flown to Sri Lanka.
Topley, who took 48 LV= County Championship wickets last term at 28.41, is now undergoing a rehabilitation programme under the watchful eye of Essex’s lead physiotherapist Chris Clarke-Irons.
“I’m obviously disappointed to be injured but with the injury coming during the winter months it gives me enough time to prepare myself for the start of the season,” Topley said.
