Glamorgan bowler Mike Reed to miss the start of the season

Image source, Huw Evans picture agency

Glamorgan fast bowler Mike Reed has been ruled out for the first two months of the season.

The 25-year-old, the county's second top wicket taker in the championship last year, has had to have a second knee operation.

Head coach Toby Radford was hoping to have Reed back in time for the start of the county's campaign.

"It [his knee] hasn't fully recovered so he's had to have another operation so it's pushed him back," said Radford.

Glamorgan begin a series of pre-season friendlies against Gloucestershire in Bristol on 19 March.

Their opening championship game is away to Surrey on 6 April.

Radford says the loss of Reed, who was called up to the potential England performance programme in October 2013, is a blow to their preparations.

"He's [Reed] been a bit of a loss to us," said Radford.

"We're now hoping that Will Owen and Huw Waters recover, but that's been an ongoing process because they were long-term injuries last year.

"So we're a little bit thin on the bowling and we've got to keep everyone fit but [young all-rounder] Ruadhri Smith's come in and done well in the side.

"He's impressed in the nets and he's a little bit quicker than I expected so he'll be pushing for a place."