Worcestershire CCC batsman Jack Haynes is making encouraging progress with his fitness and being earmarked for a return to action with the Seconds next week.
Haynes has missed the initial phase of the Vitality Blast programme with an ankle injury suffered during training.
But the England Under-19 player has pulled out all the stops to be back as quickly as possible.
He will travel and train with the Rapids squad ahead of the away games with Lancashire and Derbyshire this week before, if all continues to go to plan, being part of the Seconds side for the Championship game with Nottinghamshire at Lady Bay CC from next Monday.
Head Coach Alex Gidman confirmed: “Jack Haynes is travelling with us to do some more rehabilitation work although he is not part of the squad.
“The aim is that he is available for the second team game next Monday.
“His rehab has gone well, and he has worked extremely hard to try and get back fit as quickly as he can.
“It’s a big boost for us, and hopefully, he can get back in and play as much cricket as he can for the remainder of the season.”
Haynes twice came close to scoring his maiden first-class century before the injury setback with 87 against Warwickshire at Edgbaston and 97 versus Derbyshire at New Road.
He made seven appearances in the Vitality Blast last summer.