Australian paceman picks up side injury ahead of new season.
Worcestershire seamer Matt Mason has suffered another injury blow which threatens to rule him out of the start of the new season.
Mason had to undergo shoulder surgery during the winter after an injury ended his 2007 season prematurely.
The Australian has been recovering well from his shoulder problem, but he has now picked up a side strain during pre-season work.
With time running out until the start of the new season, Mason is struggling to be fit in time to play in the County Championship derby with Warwickshire at Edgbaston on April 16.
"Being ready for the first game is still a goal of mine," Mason said. "The shoulder is going terrifically well. I haven't got a problem with that at all.
Niggle
"Unfortunately I picked up a little niggle in my side during training last week when I was bowling.
"It was nothing major. I just stopped as a precaution which means I have missed the early pre-season games which I was keen to play in.
"I wouldn't like to say I'm not going to play in the first game but it has made it that little bit harder for me to get enough overs in to be considered for selection I suppose.
"Personally I still want to do it but it is down to the coaching staff."
Mason says his shoulder surgery has cured his problem, although he has been taking his time getting back up to full speed again to avoid any setbacks.
"I've had a structured programme for my rehab," Mason added. "I just haven't gone back in and started bowling willy nilly.
"We are up to about 80% in terms of pace and I haven't felt any discomfort.
"I've been bowling for six or seven weeks and I'm not that far away at all. I just want to get out on the park and bowl as many overs as I can."
