CRAIG Kieswetter will see a number of specialists in the next few weeks as he continues to battle back from the horrific eye injury that he sustained last season.

The 27-year-old wicketkeeper broke his nose and damaged his eye socket and cheekbone when a ball went through his helmet grille while batting against Northants last July – and Somerset director of cricket Matthew Maynard says he is planning to be without Kieswetter for the whole of the 2015 season.

He said: “Craig has got a lot of years left as a top player but it is important that he makes sure he gets his vision looked after which is why he is seeing the best eye specialists in the world. “Hopefully, that will give us a better understanding of the long term prognosis.

“As a coach I have had to plan that we won’t see him for the summer - if the results from the specialists are positive and he feels that he is ready to resume his career before the end of the season then we would be delighted to have him back.”

“Craig has to think quite selfishly at this stage about what’s best for him. “He loves playing cricket for Somerset and I am sure that he would love to continue doing so but first and foremost he knows that his eye has got to be right.

“Obviously we all wish him the very best with the upcoming appointments with the specialists and hopefully we’ll have some good news for both Craig and Somerset County Cricket Club.”