Fast bowler Mark Footitt will miss the first month of the 2008 season as he recovers from a back operation.

The 22-year-old had been troubled by a bulging disc in his back for several months and after a programme of rest and rehabilitation failed to solve the problem, he went under the knife.

Notts Director of Cricket Mick Newell said: “We hoped that rest and injections would mean he could get through the injury but it wasn’t improving as we hoped.

“He’s on the mend now though and is back swimming and starting gentle exercises, but won’t be available for the first team until May.”