Essex all-rounder Graham Napier has vowed to come back better than ever following an operation to save his county cricket career.

The England Under-19 international and Colchester and East Essex big-hitter underwent surgery for a long standing back injury in Springfield Medical Centre in Chelmsford last week.

Although feeling very sore, Napier reported it was all systems go on Monday as he set out on the long road to recovery.

"Everything has gone very well so far," he said.

"The operation was technically demanding because the problem was too close for comfort to my spinal chord.

"I am very aware that it had to be done if I was to continue my career as a fully fledged all-rounder.

"A lot of my Essex clubmates have had similar operations, players such as Neil Foster, Ashley Cowan and Darren Cousins, and they have all come back to continue their careers," Napier added.

"My back wasn't going to get any better without the operation and I had every confidence in the surgeon who carried it out."

Napier, a member of England's Under-19 World Cup-winning squad in South Africa two winters ago, said he is already up and about and will be swimming in three weeks if everything has gone well.

He has until next March to build up his strength and work on his fitness, but revealed because of the operation he will now have to modify his bowling action.

He added: "I will be like a new young bowler learning to bowl all over again, but once I have got used to the changes I'm sure they'll be like second nature to me."

John Childs, Napier's Essex 2nd XI captain and coach, said: "It was a serious operation.

"The boy is still feeling very groggy, but it was an operation that had to be done if Graham hopes to pursue his career as a county cricketer.

"The injury was initially diagnosed around this time last year, but the surgeon was hoping a long rest, especially from bowling, would solve the problem. Sadly for Graham that wasn't the case.

"We've tried to nurse him through it as best we can and the problem wasn't affecting his batting too much, but it has been taking its toll in recent weeks so the surgery had to be done."

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