GARETH Andrew will not feature again for Worcestershire this season as he looks to shake off a niggling back problem.

The 29-year-old all-rounder has managed 29 appearances for the County in all formats this term despite struggling with several injuries throughout the campaign.

However, the New Road medical time have decided the former Somerset man needs a period of rest to fully recuperate and, with little left to play for this term, Andrew will now not feature.

“A bit of rest will sort it out,” said Andrew. “It is something I picked up a couple of games ago and it has kept getting worse. Without going down the route of having injections or making it worse by continuing to play, we have decided that I will miss the end of the season.

“The injury is not related to my knee problem I’ve had in the past, but down to a high work-load in all three formats of the game.

“I am a bit limited in my movements, but I will be trying to keep myself fit and occupied by working in the gym with Ross Dewar (strength and conditioning coach) and Ben Davies (physio) so i should be able to report back for a big pre-season in November.”

Andrew enjoyed a successful stint playing First-Class cricket for Canterbury Wizards in New Zealand last winter, which included a career-best knock of 180 not out, but he has not plans to play overseas this year at the moment.

He added: “I’ve not had anything come through at this stage for going overseas, so up until Christmas I will just be concentrating on getting back to full fitness. Then, I might look to go away somewhere before the new season starts next year.”