Injury-plagued Essex paceman Ricky Anderson has pencilled in next month's annual Colchester festival to make his return to first class cricket.

Speaking to the Gazette, the promising 23-year-old right-arm fast medium bowler said: "I'd love to play at Castle Park, especially in the floodlit match against Surrey.

"And I will be pulling out all the stops to make sure I'm there."

Anderson has been out of action with a broken toe on his left foot since recording new career bests with both bat and ball in the Championship game against Northants at Ilford seven weeks ago.

The former Middlesex triallist was hoping to be fit for the county's current Championship match with Sussex at Arundel.

But he broke down after bowling just one over of his comeback game for Essex Seconds against Derbyshire at Saffron Walden last Friday.

Anderson said: "The problem now is further up from the toe. Although it didn't trouble me bowling off my full run-up during practice the day before, I felt it straight away in the game and finished off my over on a shortened run-up."

Anderson, an instant hit with the Essex fans from the moment he burst on to the scene last season, said he has been cycling and walking to build up the strength in his toes ever since his injury was diagnosed.

But he added: "I might be forced to change my bowling action and start from scratch again in a bid to rediscover any rhythm."

The Colchester festival takes in a four-day Championship game against Gloucestershire, plus a Sunday National League game with Hampshire and the floodlit clash with Surrey, all between Wednesday, August 16 and Wednesday, August 23.

Road to recovery - Essex bowler Ricky Anderson

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