Swann set for early summer return

Graeme Swann is on course to be fit again by early summer, after a successful operation on his right elbow in America.

The England off-spinner had to leave the ongoing tour of New Zealand, after missing last week's first Test in Dunedin because of a recurrence of pain in his bowling arm.

After an operation described by the England and Wales Cricket Board as "uncomplicated", it is hoped the 33-year-old will be back playing cricket in the early stages of the summer.

England will be hoping he is available again at least in time for their Champions Trophy campaign on home soil in June.

Swann, who first had surgery on the same elbow four years ago, said before his second operation that he still has his eyes on a return in time to face New Zealand in a two-Test series in May.

An ECB statement said: "England and Nottinghamshire off-spinner Graeme Swann has undergone an uncomplicated operation on his right elbow to excise excess bone formation that had re-accumulated following his previous operation four years ago.

"Swann will now commence a six-to-eight-week rehabilitation and back-to-bowling programme before returning to competitive cricket early in the summer."