Hampshire have suffered the shock news that strike bowler Kabir Ali could be out for the rest of the season.

The new signing is likely to need a knee operation after suffering another injury in training earlier this week.

He will see a consultant in London on Tuesday, when his absence for the rest of the season is likely to be confirmed.

The news is yet another blow for Hampshire manager Giles White, who has also received confirmation that Brett Lee is not fit enough to be released by Cricket Australia for the Royals’ last four Friends Provident t20 group games.

White said: "It’s bad news. Kabir started so promisingly and is a key figure in our plans but we’ve got to make do and it’s a good opportunity for a young player coming in.

"The team’s battled hard in adversity but things haven’t worked for us this season. Every day, there’s something.

"Hopefully things brighten up for us. It’s going to be a battle for the rest of the season but I couldn’t have asked for any more from the team."

With 19 wickets at 25.7, Kabir remains Hampshire’s leading wicket-taker in the LV= County Championship, despite missing the last four matches.

Hampshire are also set to miss Dimi Mascarenhas for at least another month after the county’s captain suffered a reaction to his Achilles injury in his first game of the season, the Friends Provident t20 win against Kent.

And Simon Jones will not be available for what would have been a mouthwatering debut against home county Glamorgan at the SWALEC Stadium on Tuesday night.

The former England fast bowler is making his comeback from a second cruciate ligament injury but sustained a "niggle" in his other knee while playing for the seconds last week.