Somerset fast bowler Richard Johnson is likely to be missing from the scene for the next few games after pulling a hamstring whilst bowling in the Benson and Hedges match against Northants at Taunton yesterday.

This morning Somerset chief executive Peter Anderson told me: "Richard has suffered yet another a hamstring injury and whilst he is sidelined recovering from that he will undergo minor manipulative surgery to remove some floating debris from a troublesome knee that will keep him out of the game for nearly three weeks."

Reflecting on yesterday's defeat the chief told me: "Clearly the coach, the captain and the players are all very disappointed. They performed under par against Warwickshire and then repeated this at Taunton in front of a home crowd yesterday. Our bowling display was poor on a good pitch and the fielding was not up to par. This was doubly disappointing after the professional and technical approach to the pre-season."

The chief continued: " The Somerset coach, captain and the players will be having discussions about what can be done to sort things out, but supporters can take heart because we didn't get perform very well last season early on."

The Somerset squad for the game at Bristol tomorrow against table topping Gloucestershire will be strengthened by the return of Andy Caddick and Marcus Trescothick.

Even though the presence of the two England stars is unlikely to be able to help the Cidermen to qualify for the next stage of the competition, this may well be the only time that the two teams meet this season so there will be a lot of personal pride at stake tomorrow.

© SOMERSET