WORCESTERSHIRE all-rounder Gavin Haynes is set to miss the start of the new season because of injury.

The 30-year-old has undergone a knee operation which is likely to rule him out for when the campaign opens on April 15 with an away Benson and Hedges Cup clash at Northamptonshire.

"Unfortunately, Gavin has had a little operation on his knee which is going to probably mean he will miss the start of the season. Hopefully, it won't cut into it too much," said New Road coach Bill Athey.

Stourbridge-born Haynes, who made the bulk of his appearances last season in the one-day competitions, is one of a trio of County players who are being monitored for their fitness.

Batsman Reuben Spiring is among them, having had his 1999 season cut short because of a knee problem which has required six operations. It prevented him from making a first team appearance in 1998.

Athey said: "He's been coaching and playing in Perth, Australia, and we have heard things are going reasonably well for him, so we are hopeful that he's going to be fit for our pre-season trip to Portugal at the end of the month.

"He'll be having a fitness test with the doctor in Worcester before we go and there's a lot resting on that.

"Reuben has had dreadful luck with the injury. Everybody knows he can play and could develop into a very, very good player, but unfortunately his physical state hasn't let him get that far yet. We need him to be fit."

Batsman Elliott Wilson has also been suffering from a back niggle although he is not due to return to New Road until after the season has started because of his university examinations.

Wilson received the Worcestershire Supporters' Association's uncapped Player of the Year award last season after notching his maiden first-class century, a 116 in the last County Championship match of the season.

He also reached his highest limited-over score, 62, in the National League game with Warwickshire at New Road.

The County squad will be in Portugal from March 26 to April 2 before returning for net practice at New Road.

One-day 'warm-up' games have also been arranged against Hampshire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.