Secretary Mike Fatkin said:"Obviously this is disappointing to the Club coming at this stage of the season and on top of what has been an unbelievable summer from the point of view of player injuries, but in view of the amount of cricket which Robert has ahead of him this winter and on into the World Cup during the first half of next summer it is important for him, and for the England management, to have the problem sorted out as soon as possible."

"He will go into hospital tomorrow for a straightforward arthroscopy, which should have him up and about within a few days and although it will mean him missing the games against Derbyshire and Somerset he will definitely be ready for the Ashes tour. It comes as another blow to us, following what seems to have been a succession of injury problems throughout the summer, but it is in Robert's longer term interests to be fully fit in time for the tour to Australia and we felt that this was the most important factor."