Yorkshire have suffered a major blow after first-team coach Andrew Gale announced leading paceman Jack Brooks would miss the start of the domestic season through injury.
The 32-year-old, who took 60 Specsavers County Championship Division One wickets last term, sustained a calf injury during the White Rose's pre-season tour of Dubai.
Brooks is expected to be occupying the sidelines for four to six weeks, meaning he could miss three Championship matches and five Royal London One-Day Cup fixtures.
Gale told the club's official website: "Jack Brooks came out early with the physio and has unfortunately picked up a calf injury, so we're looking at four to six weeks on him depending upon how quickly he recovers."
The problems in the bowling department do not stop there as Ryan Sidebottom, who is retiring from cricket at the end of the campaign, is struggling with a tight hamstring and a calf issue saw Liam Plunkett withdraw from the MCC's curtain raiser against Middlesex in Abu Dhabi.
Young fast bowler Matthew Fisher is also not expected to be thrown into first-team contention yet as he builds up his fitness following a niggling hamstring injury.
"Ryan Sidebottom's just got a tight hamstring, so we're unsure how long that's going to be at this stage," Gale added.
"Liam Plunkett is coming back to Dubai. He's got a slight calf problem, and we'll assess that tomorrow."
