WORCESTERSHIRE skipper Joe Leach is on target to return to full training when the players report back for their winter programme in November.

Leach has been sidelined since early June with a stress fracture of the back and played only five Championship matches this summer.

But the 27-year-old has made a successful start to his rehabilitation programme.

County head of sports science and medicine Ben Davies said: “Joe picked up a stress fracture of his back in June.

"He has made a really good start to his rehab with no pain at all. He is doing bike work, cross-trainer work and circuits in the gym.

“He is progressing exactly how we want him to. He will join in full training with the lads in November.”

Leach was Worcestershire’s leading wicket-taker for the 2015, 2016 and 2017 seasons with a combined tally of 193 County Championship wickets — taking 59, 65 and 69 respectively.

Batsman Josh Dell, who signed his first professional contract with the County earlier this summer, has had surgery on a dislocated shoulder.

He suffered the setback while playing Birmingham League cricket for Ombersley towards the end of the season.

Davies said: “Josh had an op on his shoulder last week and we expect him to be fit in three months time. By January time he will be fully fit.”

Meanwhile, Worcestershire's Moeen Ali has arrived in Sri Lanka for England's ODI Series and IT20 Series against the host nation.

The all-rounder and his team-mates touched down in Colombo just four days after the climax to the English domestic season.

England will play two 50-over warm-up games in Colombo on Friday and Saturday ahead of five ODIs from October 10 until 23 and a TI20 on October 27.

Moeen will stay on for a three-match Test series until the end of November.

County 2018 overseas player Travis Head enhanced his chances of making a first Test appearance for Australia by scoring 90 not out in the only warm-up match against Pakistan A in Dubai.

The 24-year-old hit 10 fours in his 200-ball knock after going in at number five.

He added 106 with Mitchell Marsh (162) and an unbroken 77 with Marnus Labuschagne as Australia totalled 494 in reply to Pakistan A’s 278 all out.

Head continued the good form he had shown during Australia A’s away series with India A after leaving Blackfinch New Road at the end of July.

He scored a century during that tour and then signed off with successive scores of 87, 68 and 47.

Head has made 39 one-day and 16 T20 appearances for his country but a Test breakthrough has eluded him.