Bresnan Set For Summer Return After Elbow Surgery

England all-rounder Tim Bresnan is targeting a summer return after undergoing 'uncomplicated' elbow surgery, the England and Wales Cricket Board have confirmed.

The Yorkshire man hasn't featured for England since the 5<sup>th one-day international against India in January with an elbow problem which has kept him out of the on-going tour in New Zealand.

But Bresnan has no undergone surgery to correct the problem, and while he'll miss the start of the county season, he faces a six-week rehabilitation period ahead of a return to international cricket in the summer.

"England and Yorkshire bowler Tim Bresnan has undergone an uncomplicated operation on his right elbow to remove extra bone and scar tissue," an ECB statement said.

"Bresnan will now commence a six-to eight-week rehabilitation and back-to-bowling programme before returning to competitive cricket early in the summer."

Bresnan will miss the remainder of the tour in New Zealand, which includes three-one day internationals, a four-day warm-up game against a NZ XI before a three-test series starting on 6 March, during which Warwickshire's Chris Woakes will deputise.

England's summer starts on 16 May in the first of a two-match test series against the Kiwis beginning at Lord's before three one-day internationals, and two T20 matches at the Oval.

The ICC Champions Trophy is between the 6-23 June, prior to the Ashes against Australia, the first of five tests starting on 10 July, two T20's in August and five ODI's in September.

The 27 year old is likely to play an important part in England's summer in all forms of the game, and coaches Andy Flower and Ashley Giles are likely to keep a close eye on his progress.

The all-rounder underwent surgery on his elbow prior in November 2011 and prior to the latest bout of surgery, one-day coach Giles was optimistic Bresnan would be back sooner rather than later.

"It probably is realistic for him to start the season," England's one-day coach said.

"You're never quite sure with elbows and how they're going to react to operations, as it showed when he had his last operation and it took him longer to come back from than he thought."