Mike Yardy is hoping to be playing again by early June.

The 25-year-old Sussex vice-captain is recovering after his left index finger was broken by a delivery from Steve Harmison during last week's game against MCC at Lord's.

Yardy was on 99 when he played back to a rising ball from the England paceman which smashed into his glove.

Yardy's absence is a blow to Sussex's hopes of defending the two trophies they won last season.

But it is also a huge setback for Yardy who would have been hoping to impress new England coach Peter Moores and win back his international place. Yardy has already had an operation to pin the finger but his arm is still in a sling.

He said: "At the moment it looks like six weeks out so I hope to be back at the end of May, beginning of June.

"Obviously it's hugely disappointing. I know that if I do well for Sussex I can get back in the England squad. I was batting well and felt pretty good. I remember taking my glove off and my finger looked pretty mangled up. It felt numb but it was not hugely painful because I had painkilling injections when I went to hospital."

Yardy missed a Championship match last June after suffering a dislocated finger.