WORCESTERSHIRE spinner Shaaiq Choudhry will miss the start of the 2015 campaign after suffering a side strain.

Director of cricket Steve Rhodes confirmed Choudhry will be sidelined for a month with the setback.

The 29-year-old sustained the injury while bowling in the two-day friendly match with Gloucestershire at New Road last Friday.

It is unfortunate timing for Choudhry after impressing Rhodes during pre-season and given the stiff competition for places.

Rhodes said: “Shaaiq is sadly going to be out for a month with a side strain.

“It has come at totally the wrong time for him as he has worked his butt off this winter on his bowling and batting.

“He was really starting to come together. We played on a couple of the net facilities last week where he was unplayable so I was really looking forward to seeing him go this year, especially early season.

“Luckily for him, I suppose, he can get it out of the way and then hopefully the rest of the season will be injury free.”