WORCESTERSHIRE paceman Josh Tongue is stepping up his rehab after suffering a nerve tissue injury in his upper arm.

Tongue has been ruled out of County Championship matches against Lancashire, Sussex, Glamorgan and Derbyshire with the problem.

But it is hoped the 21-year-old will be able to return to action sooner rather than later and he has started running this week.

Worcestershire’s head of sports science and medicine Ben Davies confirmed: “Josh has sustained an injury to nerve tissue in his upper limb.

“This is currently settling down after its initial onset. We are hoping he makes a swift recovery and is soon back to bowling.”

Tongue has picked up 16 wickets from his three Championship appearances this season against Leicestershire, Durham and Middlesex.