WORCESTERSHIRE’s new overseas player John Hastings will link up with his new team-mates next week.

The Australian all-rounder flies into Heathrow on Monday at the same time as Worcestershire land after their pre-season tour of Abu Dhabi and will travel to New Road on the team coach.

Director of cricket Steve Rhodes says Hastings remains on schedule to play in the first Specsavers County Championship match at Glamorgan, starting on April 14.

Hastings is joining up early to continue the latter stages of his rehab programme after undergoing winter patella tendon surgery.

Rhodes said: “We arrive back at Heathrow and at the moment John will be arriving at the same sort of time so he will be coming back (to Worcester) on the team coach with us.”

“We are anticipating he will be available for the first game of the season although we will not be counting our chickens before they are hatched.

“But at the moment, he is on course.”

Worcestershire are continuing their technical work and strength and conditioning programme in Abu Dhabi today on the fifth day of their 11-day training camp.

They will be in match action today against The North - whose squad includes County batsman Joe Clarke - in a 50-over game in Dubai at the ICC Academy.