Copdock & Old Ipswichian captain, Tom Rash, is facing up to the prospect of missing two of his most experienced players during the opening weeks of the new campaign.

East Anglian Daily Times: Jaik Mickleburgh, pictured batting for Essex. He has signed for Copdock & Old Ipswichian for the new season.Jaik Mickleburgh, pictured batting for Essex. He has signed for Copdock & Old Ipswichian for the new season. (Image: Copyright reserved)

All-rounder Chris Swallow will be available for Copdock’s first match, against Cambridge Granta tomorrow, but he is then set to undergo an operation on a damaged shoulder.

Team-mate Chris Warm is also currently plagued by a shoulder injury, which will keep him on the sidelines.

Rash said: “Chris (Swallow) will have a shoulder operation on Monday.

“He will be able to play in our first game, but will then be out for a minimum of six weeks.

“Chris (Warn) also has a shoulder injury that will keep him out indefinitely. He is set to see a specialist soon. Both picked up the injuries while training for the new season.

“I won’t be drawn into saying how I think we’ll fare this season, or that we’re going to win it!

“But we had injury issues early on last season, and the youngsters that came in did pretty well, so hopefully that will again be the case.

“Some of the younger guys who have been playing for a while we hopefully step up and have good seasons for us, like Jack Beaumont, Hugo Douglas and Sam Webb-Snowling.

“It could be big years for all of them,” added Rash.

Former Essex batsman Jaik Mickleburgh is Copdock’s major new signing. He will replace last year’s professional, Dewald Botha, who has returned to his native South Africa – Botha scored three centuries in the last four matches of last season to leave the Suffolk side finishing in third spot.

“It’s great having Jaik at the club, and he has been giving me lots of advice as well,” continued Rash.

“He’s been helping me out with my captaincy, and when you have a guy who has played over 100 First Class games alongside you, then you do listen to what they have to say!”

Mickleburgh’s nine-year association with Essex ended at the end of last season, although the 27-year-old did help to clinch promotion.