Sussex fast bowler James Kirtley was set to see a specialist today about his broken hand amid fears he may be out of action for six weeks.

Kirtley fractured his right hand when he was hit in the nets fielding a ball from Gloucestershire's Jeremy Snape as England prepared for yesterday's one-day international against Sri Lanka.

A fracture was diagnosed at hospital in Manchester and Kirtley could be out for up to six weeks.

He headed back south yesterday for an appointment with the club's specialist.

Sussex coach Peter Moores said: "The fracture is loose at the moment and it may need pinning. He was x-rayed in hospital on Saturday and it looks quite a bad one. They told him 4-6 weeks out and it could be longer than that."

It is an unfortunate setback for Kirtley who had established himself in England's one-day side again after re-modelling his action during the winter.

He had played in England's first four games in the NatWest Series, taking three wickets and a stunning catch in the match against India at Lord's.

Moores added: "It's a real shame for James because if he had finished well then he would have backed himself to get into the World Cup squad.

"Hopefully we will have him back for the last three weeks or so."

Kirtley's absence is also a major blow to Sussex's hopes of retaining their First Division status. He took 54 wickets in all cricket before linking up with England including 29 in the Championship and among the matches he will miss is next Wednesday's C&G quarter-final against Surrey at Hove.

Paul Hutchison sees a specialist on Thursday about shin splints which have kept him out for nearly a month while Mark Robinson will get overs under his belt by playing in a four-day second team match against Northamptonshire, starting tomorrow.