SUSSEX fast bowler Jason Lewry hopes to return to action by the middle of May after undergoing an operation on his shoulder.

The 27-year-old will be out for up to three months after surgery to repair damage to the tendon in his left rotator cuff.

He will definitely miss the Championship games against Lancashire, Northants and Glamorgan, but because Sussex then have a two-week break because of the start of the World Cup, he could return for the home match against Gloucestershire on May 19.

The injury flared up last August and Lewry suffered a recurrence during England A's tour of Zimbabwe, forcing him to come home early a fortnight ago.

Cricket manager Peter Moores said: "Jason is a good, quick healer and the physio, Tim Wright, feels quite confident that he will be back by the middle of May.

"For five weeks he will only be able to do light physio but then he will step it up."

Lewry was a certain starter for Sussex's Championship opener and his absence will create an opportunity for back-up seamers like Alex Edwards and Michael Strong who have both spent the winter in South Africa.

Strong hasn't bowled for three weeks because of a rib injury, but Moores expects him to be fit for the start of the season.

All but two of players report back for pre-season on Monday week and will spend three days at the Meon Valley golf and leisure complex in Hampshire.

The late arrivals are new overseas signing, Michael Di Venuto, and Dutchman Bas Zuiderent who will link-up with their new team-mates at the end of the month.

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