Chris Jordan, Surrey's highly-rated 21-year-old allrounder, could miss the first 10 weeks of the season due to a back problem.

He is two weeks into a six-week rehabilitation programme, after which he will be carefully guided back to match fitness. Surrey have said it could be up to a further six weeks before Jordan is fit enough for selection, but he may be available within a fortnight of the rehab programme ending.

Barbados-born Jordan was troubled by the back problem last season after suffering a stress fracture earlier in his career. Chris Adams, the Surrey coach, said they will be patient with his recovery. "We're working towards his career and improving his career from this point in time. He carries the tag of great potential. It's been a really frustrating time for him, frustrating for us as well. We certainly want that talent out on the field.

"But let's hope that we've finally got to the bottom of something. His bulging disc through this period will have time to rest but I'm quietly confident that we are doing everything we possibly can now."