Worcestershire paceman Kabir Ali is facing another month on the sidelines after having a pain-killing injection in his back.

But the county are counting their blessings the 28-year-old does not need surgery after previously suffering from a stress fracture of the back.

Kabir missed two months of the campaign with a hamstring problem and has been laid low for three weeks with the back complaint and undergone two scans.

Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes said: "Kabir has previously had a stress fracture in his back so it is good news he doesn't need surgery.

"It is good and bad news really. Obviously we're happy he'll be back playing cricket again this season - but it is disappointing he'll be out for three to four weeks.

"There will still be a lot of cricket left to play in the season when he returns with the Pro40 competition and the rest of the County Championship. He still has a big part to play this year."

Kabir was the county's leading wicket-taker with 59 first-class scalps last season.

His absence, along with knee injury victim Simon Jones, has been a big factor in the Royals disappointing season which sees them bottom of Division One of the LV County Championship.