SIMON Jones will travel to Northampton tomorrow with Worcestershire hopeful that he will make his return from injury.

The Welshman, who has been missing since the opening day of the LV County Championship season, has been battling a neck injury.

The 29-year-old pace ace picked up the neck problem on the first day of the match at Warwickshire.

Jones was batting when he tried to avoid a short ball from Neil Carter, jarring his neck.

Despite bowling three overs at the end of that day, Jones has struggled since.

New Road director of cricket Steve Rhodes is confident about the Welshman's chances.

Jones, who became a father for the second time last week, has had a cortisone injection to ease the pain.

"We are still optimistic that Simon will be fit for Wednesday's game against Northamptonshire," said Rhodes.