HAMPSHIRE new boy Sean Ervine will arrive at the Rose Bowl on April 5 with a troublesome bone spur on his ankle but is confident the injury will not impede him this summer.

The all-rounder, pictured, was among the rebel players involved in a row over racial selection quotas with the Zimbabwe cricket Union, which resulted in a mass exodus of the white players last year.

After emigrating to Perth the 21-year-old has not played a single match for the Western Australian state team and struggled to make an impact even in second XI and club cricket.

But after recently rediscovering his batting form and confidence, Ervine has been given a vote of confidence by his state coach Wayne Clark.

"Two weeks ago I scored 75 and took five wickets for the Fremantle club," Ervine said.

"I have also played four matches for the Western Australian second XI. My highest score is 70 and I have also made a 60 and two 30s.

"It took time for me to regain my confidence but I have made a steady improvement during the season and Wayne Clark told me last week that I am coming on in leaps and bounds.

"What I need now is to play regularly. I will have an operation on my ankle at some stage but it feels fine at the moment and I can still bowl with injections."

Ervine was signed on a one-year deal under the Kolpak ruling, with the option of a further year in 2006. He met most of his new teammates on their pre-season trip to the academy in Perth, where they worked with Hampshire manager Paul Terry.

"Paul has been very encouraging and supportive," Ervine said.

"He told me to just relax, enjoy playing, and trust in my ability."