Nottinghamshire all-rounder Paul Franks is continuing to recover from a winter knee operation and will miss the start the 2002 season.

It was hoped the highly-rated 23-year-old would be recovered sufficiently to figure in the opening County Championship game at Lord¹s, starting on April 24.

But while he continues to make steady progress, Notts are anxious not to rush him back before they are convinced he is 100 per cent fit.

Said Franks: "I was hopeful of making the start of the season but things don¹t always work out as planned.

"After sitting out so much cricket last summer there's nothing I want more than to get back out on the pitch but the simple fact is that at the moment, my body won't let me.

"Everyone at Notts knows I can do more harm and miss more cricket by trying to play too soon rather than waiting until my knee is fully recovered. It's a very frustrating situation but no-one is more frustrated than me."

Notts Cricket Manager Clive Rice said: "Paul is a vital part of the squad at Trent Bridge and he will be missed in the early weeks of the season.

"But he will be given all the time he needs and we'd rather have him in the team fully fit to play until the end of the season rather than risk him early on only to see him sidelined once again."

© Notts CCC