Gareth Andrew is looking to the future and hoping to have made a complete recovery from his back problem within the next two moths after the disappointment of missing the finale of Worcestershire's LV = County Championship campaign.
Director of Cricket Steve Rhodes had his fingers crossed all-rounder Andrew would be fit enough to return from his back setback for today's home clash with Surrey and the away encounter with Essex.
A scan has revealed that the fractured pedicle has not yet healed 100% and dashed those ambitions.
But Andrew, who picked up 20 wickets in the opening four Championship games of the season, is expected to make a full recovery.
He said: "I'm gutted really to be out for the rest of the season because I'd been feeling good and doing some bowling drills and it had been good to be bowling again.
"But the scans revealed I've still got a bit of time yet before the back is fully healed – and it would only just make it worse if I came back bowling.
"I've just going to have put the season to one side and get through the winter and look to the future.
"Over the last two months part of the fracture has healed so that's a good sign and there's only a bit left to go.
"Hopefully in another two months it will be all healed and I'll be ready to go."
While Andrew may be disappointed from a personal viewpoint, he is confident Worcestershire can seal promotion.
He said: "Can the team finish the task? Definitely. I've got no doubt that they will do so.
"They have had a couple of hard games after a break from Championship cricket but hopefully we can hit the ground running again."
