CHRIS Tremlett is still unable to set a comeback date as he bids to recover from a mystery back injury.

The Hampshire bowler is out of the three-day friendly against Cardiff UCCE, which starts at the Rose Bowl today, and is also frustrated that the season's opener against Middlesex next Sunday is also beyond him.

England seamer Tremlett, 25, has not played since winning his sixth one-day international cap, his third appearance in the Commonwealth Bank Series, against New Zealand in Perth in January.

Since then he has been working with new Hampshire physio Andrew Nealon, but is no closer to knowing when he will be ready to return to action.

He said: "I'm not bowling regularly because the back's still sore which is very frustrating.

"We're still trying to get on top of what's wrong. Hopefully I'll be bowling again in the next week or so but it's impossible to say for sure.

"I'd love to be able to say when. It could be the end of the week or next month, but at the moment I'm working with the physio on a trial and error basis.

"With most injuries I can take a pain killer and get through it but I just have to be patient with this one. I've seen the best people and we've got a great new physio here so hopefully it won't be too long."

See today's Daily Echo for full story.