Hampshire's Reece Topley has been ruled out for three months with "a partial stress fracture".

"A partial stress fracture of the lumbar spine" is likely to keep the winter signing from Essex sidelined for most of the season.

Topley, 22, had hoped to have recovered from the broken hand sustained on his Hampshire debut in time for Friday night's T20 opener against Middlesex at Uxbridge.

But he then suffered the third (partial) stress fracture of his career although there is some ambiguity over whether it is a new injury or a reoccurrence of one of his previous stress fractures.

It was feared that Topley would be out for the season, but he now hopes to play again in August.

He said: "I was completely devastated to hear the news of my stress-related back injury – I just want to play for Hampshire and contribute to their cricket.

"Last week, I was particular concerned that my 2016 season was going to be limited to one single session, on the very first day of the season, when I fractured my hand batting.

"It is hoped that I may be back bowling in August so hopefully I will have the opportunity to repay Hampshire for the faith they have shown in me.”

Hampshire are already without Chris Wood and Fidel Edwards for the rest of the season and are also without Ryan Stevenson.