Josh Tongue launches his comeback after injury for Worcestershire Seconds tomorrow – and is hoping to make up for lost time during the final third of the season.
The County paceman is set to play in the three-day Championship match against Derbyshire Seconds at Belper.
Tongue has been side-lined since suffering a stress reaction to a metatarsal in his left foot in early June.
But, if all goes to plan this week, it is hoped the 20-year-old will be able to return to first team action in the Specsavers County Championship match with Yorkshire at Scarborough in two weeks time – which was always the timetabled being worked to.
Tongue played for Barnards Green yesterday and had figures of 6-4-2-2 in a Birmingham League fixture against Brockhampton.
The 20-year-old picked up 47 wickets in his first full senior campaign in 2017 and was adjusting to Division One cricket successfully with a return of 21 wickets in five games – including nine against champions Essex – before the injury.
Tongue said: “It was frustrating to pick up the injury when I did especially after just having a good match against Essex when I felt in a really good rhythm.
“But it is behind me now, it’s in the past, and I want to concentrate on having a good end to the season.
“The rehab has gone well and, as always, Ben Davies and Ross Dewar of the medical and strengthening and conditioning team have been great to work with.
“I’ve been back bowling, had a game for Barnards Green yesterday, and now will play for the Seconds and, if all goes well, hope I can be in contention to play at Scarborough.
“There are still six Championship matches left in the season and I hope I can play a part in helping us to stay in Division One.
“We’ve had a few injuries in the bowling department – Leachy (Joe Leach), Charlie (Morris), myself – but the lads who have come in like Dillon (Pennington) and Browny (Pat Brown) have done ever so well.”
Head Coach Kevin Sharp said: “It will be good to have Josh back in the mix for the final part of the season if he comes through this week with the Seconds okay and all goes to plan.
“He is an exciting prospect who got called up by the Lions last winter. This injury will have been frustrating to him but Josh has got a long career ahead and a successful one if he maintains his current path of progress.”
