Worcestershire paceman Simon Jones has suffered a further blow to his hopes of a comeback after having fluid drained from his troublesome knee.

The Royals are now anxiously awaiting the results of tests on the fluid amidst growing concerns Jones is losing his battle to regain fitness.

The 30-year-old, one of England's Ashes heroes of 2005, has not played since last August after undergoing two further knee operations.

He had been pencilled in to play in a second XI game at the end of this month but that now seems unlikely after his latest blow.

Worcestershire chief executive Mark Newton said: "Simon saw the surgeon, who took some fluid from the knee, and we are expecting the results of the tests on the fluid back soon."

The county's director of cricket, Steve Rhodes, said: "We are still waiting for some comment from the surgeon. We don't know if it is bad, good news or whatever. It is beyond my control.

"It is frustrating but what can you do about it.

He has drained some fluid off Simon's knee and we are awaiting the results of that.

"Everybody feels for Simon, On top of being a wonderful cricketer, he is a wonderful person.
"We always feel for people with injuries and he has had the rough end of the stick more than any other cricketer I know.

"He doesn't deserve to be kicked in the teeth like this time and time again."

Jones played a major role in helping Worcestershire gain promotion to Division One of the LV County Championship with 42 wickets last season.

He was included in England's initial squad of 30 for the ICC Trophy but then the knee flared up again towards the end of last season.