England hopeful Sam Northeast set for six weeks on the sidelines

Hampshire new-boy Sam Northeast is hopeful of a return to action in six weeks after breaking a finger in training.

The middle-order batsman, who scored an eye-catching century in the loss to Surrey at the Oval last week, joined Hampshire from Kent earlier this year and had been tipped to force his way into the England reckoning.

But a break to the little finger on his left hand has put his international ambitions on hold for the time-being, and the former Kent captain is now targeting a return to the crease in June.

"It was the last catch in training on the day before the game [when I picked up the injury]. It's hugely disappointing after getting that score and wanting to build on it," Northeast told Sky Sports News.

"It's very disappointing, especially when you move to a new club. You just want to keep building, but hopefully I will get back reasonably quickly.

"I'll be visiting a hand specialist and maybe I'll have surgery next week. Hopefully, I will be back in six weeks' time or something like that."