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Kevin Pietersen will not require surgery for the knee injury that forced him to leave
the tour of New Zealand early, plus withdraw from the IPL, and is on
course to be available for the start of England's home international
season.
Pietersen, who underwent scans in London on Tuesday, was diagnosed with
bruising on the bone around his right knee, rather than cartilage damage
that may have required an operation and a longer recovery time.
He will now wear a brace for two weeks, followed by another fortnight of
rest, before undergoing further evaluation. The initial prognosis, when
Pietersen flew home, was up to eight weeks before he would return to
action.
England's opening Test against New Zealand is on May 16 and Pietersen
will require some first-class matches before then to prove his fitness,
but Andy Flower, the team director, was confident of him being ready.
"He is being put in a brace for two weeks. He will be off exercise, or
any impact exercise, after that for another couple of weeks. Then he'll
start his rehab. We anticipate him playing a full part in the summer.
He's been in some pain, but we hope he'll be ready to go by the start of
the summer."
Pietersen was discomforted throughout his time in New Zealand, but made
73 in the second Test in Wellington before the problem worsened to a
degree where he was unable to play in the decider at Eden Park.
He will be one of three England players whose recovery from injury will
be closely monitored in the early weeks of the season. Graeme Swann, who
underwent elbow surgery three weeks ago, is also trying to be fit for
the New Zealand series, although the selectors may give him more time
depending on his progress.
Tim Bresnan, another who had an operation to try and solve an elbow
problem, is due to return to action for Yorkshire in their second County
Championship match of the season against Durham at Chester-le-Street.
Andrew McGlashan is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo
Feeds: Andrew McGlashan
© ESPN EMEA Ltd.
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