Matthew Hoggard will be sidelined for around four weeks with a hand injury.

The Leicestershire captain suffered the problem while throwing a rugby ball during a training session.

Surgery on the complaint was completed yesterday afternoon and the former England bowler is now not expected to return until the middle of May.

"How quickly he plays will be dependent upon how quickly he heals but it's his non-bowling hand which is a positive," said Leicestershire coach Phil Whitticase.

Alex Wyatt is expected to take Hoggard's place for the upcoming match against Derbyshire.