MELBOURNE - Paceman Damien Fleming will miss South Australia's opening Pura Cup cricket match against his former state, Victoria, next week.

Fleming has aggravated a neck injury and will miss the chance to play against the team which dumped him in the off-season.

The 32-year-old says he felt discomfort in the neck after returning from a stint with English county side Warwickshire.

But he says it is a minor setback and he's hoping to make his South Australian debut in the second Pura Cup match of the season against New South Wales next month.

Fleming linked with the Redbacks after new Victorian coach David Hookes told the former Test bowler he was no longer required by the Bushrangers.

© 2002 AAP

This report does not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Cricket Board.