Rhodes - Jones will be fine

Jones: Another injury setback

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Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes has allayed any fears over Simon Jones' future, insisting his latest knee injury is not a long-term concern.

The pace bowler will not play again this season after suffering cartilage damage. He will undergo an arthroscopy during the next few days.

It is just the latest setback for the England international in a career that has been hampered with injuries, particularly since 2005.

Wear-and-tear

"It is a wear-and-tear injury and is a result of a career as an impact fast bowler," he said.

"It (the arthroscopy) is just a service really and I am confident he will be fine in the long term."

Despite the disappointment of missing the closing stages of the campaign, Jones has still taken 42 wickets in the LV County Championship.

His efforts have helped the Pears' push for promotion to Division One and Rhodes is delighted with what the 29-year-old has achieved.

Targets

"Simon is a bit down. He is sick to the back teeth with injury problems and he is disappointed not to reach some of the targets he has set himself, such as 50 championship wickets this season.

"But he has done marvellously for us. He has given our attack something it didn't have. He's been an aggressive, impact bowler and I've been delighted with him.

"He's made the England selectors notice him and to make the initial squad for the Champions Trophy was a fantastic effort.

"The goal was to get him through to the end of the season, and we almost got there, but if you had asked me at the start of the season, I'd have settled for what we've had from Simon during the past four months."