WORCESTERSHIRE wicketkeeper Ben Cox has undergone a successful shoulder operation and hopes to return to a full programme of fitness work in the near future.

Cox underwent keyhole surgery at Worcester’s South Bank Hospital last month on tendon damage in his right shoulder.

The 23-year-old continued playing last summer with the condition which only prevented him from throwing.

Cox still enjoyed an excellent season behind the stumps and with the bat.

He said: “We thought there was a labral tear in the joint of my right shoulder. I had keyhole surgery, there was no labral tear but the joint needed tidying up and the tendon at the front was split and torn.

“The operation was successful, it was all good. I am a quick healer and am back doing exercises and rehab.

“I’m hoping to be back running soon. I can’t do as much weight stuff at the moment but it won’t be long.

“It is a case of treatment every morning with Ben (first team physio Davies) to optimise the soft tissues around the shoulder and a lot of fitness sessions.

“I was first aware of it 18 months ago. It never became a problem. It was just throwing. As a wicketkeeper, you can get away with it.

“You don’t throw over-arm at all so we just managed it, stayed off throwing and fielding practices and just did wicketkeeping.”

Davies paid tribute to the hard work put in by Cox, who is well ahead of schedule after such an operation.

He said: “Ben is about four weeks ahead of schedule. He is a physio’s dream. He does everything you tell him and constantly wants more work.

“We are really pleased with him.

“Because of how hard Ben has worked in the first four weeks, he is doing things now you’d normally be doing after eight weeks.”