The Hampshire allrounder ruptured ankle ligaments playing in the Pakistan Super League, ruling him out for between six and eight weeks
Liam Dawson has not given up hope of being fit in time for Hampshire's County Championship opener against Nottinghamshire despite rupturing ankle ligaments playing in the Pakistan Super League.
The 33-year-old's stint at defending champions Lahore Qalandars lasted just two games before injury struck in the defeat to Karachi Kings.
Dawson will need between six and eight weeks to fully recover, leaving him in a race against time for the start of Hants' Division One season on April 6 at The Ageas Bowl.
"I ruptured my ankle ligaments - not ideal," Dawson, who chose a PSL spell over touring Bangladesh with England's white-ball squads, told BBC Radio Solent.
Dawson lasted just two matches before injury struck (RIZWAN TABASSUM/AFP via Getty Images)
"The time frame is about six to eight weeks before I can get back to playing.
"But I'm desperate to play the first match of the season so that is the big aim - to be fit in a month's time."
He added: "I'll come back when I'm ready.
"I don't want to rush it because I don't want to injure myself again and miss another two months of cricket."
Following a busy domestic summer, the allrounder was part of England's T20I tours of Pakistan and Australia, played in the Abu Dhabi T10 and ILT20 for Deccan Gladiators and Gulf Giants, respectively, before a brief stay at the PSL.
Dawson has featured across the international and franchise game this winter (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
"It has been a busy winter," he reflected.
"Luckily, I was home for Christmas, which was nice but then I was back out to Dubai and Pakistan again.
"I can use this injury as a little bit of a positive and a break away from cricket.
"I've not really had any time off for a number of months so hopefully it will stand me in good stead for the summer and I'll be fresh for April."
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