WORCESTERSHIRE are pleased with the progress made by veteran Steve Magoffin in building up his fitness ahead of the new campaign.

Paceman Magoffin, 38, missed the majority of last season, his final one at Sussex, through injury after five wicket-laced campaigns on the south coast.

But he is gradually building up his strength with a view to returning to bowling sooner rather than later for the Specsavers County Championship Division One club.

Worcestershire head of science and medicine Ben Davies said: “Steve is doing really well.

"He missed a lot of last season with different injuries and was always playing catch-up with his body.

“Steve is actually going to be in a better position starting off this season because he’s had a full winter of getting himself strong and fit.

“He is getting back into running at the moment. We want him to get some running into his legs before he starts bowling.

“Players have started bowling and they have got a graduated return to bowling programme up to Abu Dhabi (pre-season tour in March) so we get them enough overs under their belt.

“Steve is going to be slightly later than that. He will probably be two or three weeks behind building his load and we will use Abu Dhabi to continue that.

“He is just at another stage of his career to all our other seamers.

“Everyone buys into that. Hopefully it works well again and he will be fit for the game at Hampshire at the start of the season.”