Craig Kieswetter: Somerset and England wicketkeeper likely to miss 2015 due to eye injury

Somerset and England wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter is likely to miss the 2015 season after suffering a setback in his recovery from a serious eye injury.

Somerset said that Kieswetter, who was recently named in England's provisional 30-man squad for the World Cup that starts in February, has "struggled to regain perfect vision".

The 27-year-old broke his nose and damaged his eye socket and cheekbone when a ball went through his helmet grille while batting against Northamptonshire in July.

Kieswetter had been experiencing problems during his involvement in the South African domestic T20 tournament and, after discussions with specialists, has withdrawn from top-level cricket in order to receive further treatment.

Somerset have admitted that the long-term prognosis is unclear for Kieswetter, who has played in 46 one-day internationals for England and 25 T20 internationals.

A statement read: "Craig Kieswetter, who sustained a terrible injury to his eye while batting against Northamptonshire last summer, has struggled to regain perfect vision which has affected his performances in the recent SA domestic T20 tournament.

"As a result of this, Craig will be withdrawing from the Big Bash T20 in Australia to undergo further specialist rehabilitation.

"The long-term prognosis is unknown at this stage, but it is unlikely that he will be fit for the 2015 season."

The South Africa-born keeper said in a statement: "It is really disappointing but my eye is not 100 per cent and this of course is critical in maintaining the levels of performance that I expect of myself.

"I need to make every effort to resolve the matter and have the best specialist help in that regard."