HAMPSHIRE are unsure when Sam Northeast will be available again.

The big winter signing from Kent has been out with a fractured finger sustained in training after scoring a century on debut against Surrey six weeks ago.

Liam Dawson has made a quicker recovery from his damaged digit, in time to play today.

Director of cricket Giles White explained: “Liam’s was quite a clean break and relatively straightforward but with Sam we had to pin it and make sure the joint married up.

“Sam’s still recovering from having the pins taken from the little finger on his left hand.

“We’ve had our fair share of finger injuries which has been frustrating but it’s given others opportunities that have been taken.”

Last season Rilee Rossouw and Lewis McManus were also sidelined by finger trouble, but White added: “Sam’s is the worst of the lot as it’s round the knuckle.”