Colly suffers late setback

Fresh concern for England as Collingwood has injection

Last updated: 9th May 2008

Paul Collingwood woe NZ v England 2nd Test 2008

Collingwood: Injury worry

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England batsman Paul Collingwood has suffered a double injury worry less than a week before the first Test against New Zealand at Lord's.

Collingwood sustained a back and shoulder injury during Durham's LV County Championship Division One clash with Lancashire at Old Trafford, and as a result the 31-year-old was unable to bowl in the second innings of his county's heavy defeat.

It was reported then that he and Durham's England fast bowler Steve Harmison were suffering no more than minor niggles.

However, it has emerged that Collingwood has had an injection in his right shoulder and now faces a race against time to prove his fitness for the Test series opener with the Black Caps on May 15.

Cook confident

The problem in Collingwood's shoulder is thought to date back to discomfort he felt during England's tour of Sri Lanka last year.

Durham director of cricket Geoff Cook is nonetheless confident the injury will not prove serious and believes at this stage England have little to worry about.

"I don't think there is any fear of him missing any cricket," said Cook.