Kyle Hogg, the Lancashire allrounder, has been ruled out of the first four to six weeks of the season after breaking a finger on his right hand during fielding practice.

The injury doesn't require surgery or a cast and Mike Watkinson, the Lancashire coach, said: "It's a blow, but these things happen. We'll just have to cover for it."

And, in an interview with the Manchester Evening News, Hogg admits that a lack of opportunities at Old Trafford might force him look elsewhere if this season doesn't go well.