Worcestershire paceman Gareth Andrew's hopes of returning for the finale of the LV = County Championship promotion push have been dashed with the fracture in the pedicle of his back still not yet completely healed.
But the encouraging news is that the 30-year-old is expected to make a full recovery in time for pre-season in 2015.
Director of Cricket Steve Rhodes had been hoping Andrew would be available for the final two Championship games of the campaign against Surrey at New Road and Essex at Chelmsford.
However, a scan last week showed that the healing process is not yet complete and there are still signs of a small fracture.
Worestershire physiotherapist Ben Davies said: "We followed the specalists recommendation to re-scan Gareth at the end of August which we did last week.
"Unfortunately it showed there is still a tiny little fracture in the pedicle of his back so it is going to take a little more time to completely heal.
"The good news is it was a two centimere fracture and is now down to nine millimetres so it is healing.
"It is taking a little time so unfortunately he won't be able to bowl for the rest of the season but should be in full flow next pre-season.
"The good thing is he has not got a fracture which is not healing but it is taking a bit of time. We've got to give Gareth that time to allow the healing process to completely finish.
"It is disappointing short team that he can't play again this season but good news long term because it is going to heal."
Rhodes said: "It is a big disappointment because we desperately wanted Gareth bowling in the last few games of the season to help our promotion push.
"His recovery has gone well all the way and the timing of this is not good because we did anticipate him being fit for the last two games of the season.
"That is not to be and we must now try and get him right for next year."
Andrew relished taking the new ball and picked up 20 wickets in the opening four LV = County Championship games of the season including a career-best 5-40 against Glamorgan at the Swalec Stadium.
