Henry Goodburn could be back in contention for Haywards Heath's promotion push after having a second operation on his injured hand.

The Haywards Heath skipper hopes to back in action by the end of March, in time for a few end-of-term run-outs plus the sevens season. Goodburn has been out all season after snapping a ligament in a finger on his left hand.

An initial operation saw him have a silicon rod inserted in the finger to make room for the new ligament. This was recently cut from his wrist and inserted into his finger in the second part of the process.

Goodburn, who is left-handed, said: "It is very painful and I have to keep my hand elevated at all times to avoid swelling, so I don't get much sleep. I haven't been watching much rugby, apart from on television."

It has been a strange season for the Heath and Sussex winger but he has enjoyed what he has seen from the side as stand-in skipper Dave Wattam leads the title charge.

He said: "I still have an input from a non-player's point of view. Dave and I bounce things off each other, but we did that when I was playing anyway.

"Being captain is not a one-man job. I always asked the players what they thought.

"I have been involved in selection, which is tougher this season because there is more strength in depth at the club.

"We could have played the same XV each week and kept winning but we see no point in that. They have had some hard games and won and I just hope nobody becomes complacent."