Rhodes cautious over Jones

Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes has admitted the county will have to manage the workload of new signing Simon Jones to get the best out of the former England paceman.

Jones, one of the heroes of England's 2005 Ashes triumph, has been dogged by injuries for the past two years before moving from Glamorgan to New Road during the winter.

Rhodes is aware of the need to ensure Jones is not over-bowled and to be given the right amount of preparation and recuperation periods.

It will be a similar scenario with Australian paceman Matt Mason, who missed almost all of last season after undergoing shoulder surgery.

Former England wicketkeeper Rhodes said: "Simon has been involved in the nets since early January. He is up here now three or four times a week training with the guys. He is looking in good shape.

"We are very pleased with the way he is bowling. He hasn't got an injury at present which is very pleasing. If we can get him back playing, then you will see results from Simon.

"That is a big 'if' and the right way to approach it would be to manage his cricket, give him the right amount of rest, the right amount of competition and the right amount of preparation.

"It will be the same sort of situation with Matt Mason, who is starting to bowl without feeling any stiffness or pain in his shoulder - and importantly feeling no stiffness the following day.

"It is literally a case - should everyone be fit - of looking through the fixtures well in advance and almost putting together a programme or a plan.

"Of course, it can obviously be affected by injuries but if you look at Simon and Matt, they need the right sort of preparation, recovery and rest.

"Rest is important as well as playing and just getting the right balance is crucial. Rotation can be an option."

Rhodes insisted Worcestershire will have an overseas player signed before the start of the season after failing to land New Zealand paceman Shane Bond.

He said: "We will have an overseas player by the start of the season. Not to have one is not an option to us. We want a bowler because it gives us the luxury to do what we want with two key bowlers in Mason and Jones.

"They are key bowlers. Without an overseas bowler, it pressurises us in an area I don't want to get pressurised.

"Simon's approach this winter has been fantastic and the same with Matt, but we don't want to put too much pressure on them. We need helping hands so we are looking for a bowler."