Tim Bresnan, the England bowler, will travel to the USA shortly for a second operation on his troublesome elbow, which ruled him out of the tour to New Zealand.

When he was left out of the squads for New Zealand, the national selector, Geoff Miller, said that further surgery might be required. Bresnan underwent his first operation late in 2011 and has struggled to regain top form since, finishing 2012 with two wicketless Tests in India following a lean series against South Africa, and has often appeared down on pace.

Andrew Gale, Bresnan's captain at Yorkshire, confirmed the latest development: "He's going out to America in the next week or so, and he'll be there for a week or two to have an operation and then some rehab on his elbow," he told the Telegraph and Argus.

Bresnan's most recent appearance for England was successful, when he took 4 for 45 in the final ODI against India, and Gale was hopeful he would be back to full fitness early in the season. There is an outside chance of him featuring on Yorkshire's pre-season tour of Barbados.

Bresnan will have his eyes set on being available for the New Zealand series at home, which starts in late May, but a more realistic aim could be the Champions Trophy where England are keen for him to take the No. 7 slot in the one-day side to enable them to play five frontline bowlers in home conditions.

In his absence, Chris Woakes has a chance to establish his credentials in New Zealand. Woakes is part of all three squads for the tour, but will have to move ahead of Stuart Broad and Graham Onions to earn a Test place.