SOMERSET'S hopes of progressing to the knockout stages of the Vitality Blast have been hit by the news that in-form batsman Tom Abell faces a spell on the sidelines.

The club captain has scored two half-centuries in three T20 matches so far this campaign, but it has been confirmed that he will miss tomorrow's fixture away to Surrey due to a hamstring injury.

Somerset head of science & medicine, Jamie Thorpe, said: “Tom suffered some thigh pain in the warm-up ahead of Saturday’s match against Glamorgan [which was ultimately rained off].

“We assessed him on Sunday, and it became apparent that he was suffering from an acute hamstring injury.

"Scans have now confirmed that he has a hamstring tear.

“He will now undergo a specifically tailored rehabilitation programme in order to get him back out on the field as soon as possible.

“Any timeframe regarding his return will entirely depend on how he responds to the programme and the specific loadings.

"That will give us a much better indication of when he will return.”

With Abell ruled out, and Roelof van der Merwe (side strain) still absent, Somerset have named the following squad for the Surrey match (6.30pm start):

Lewis Gregory (c), Tom Banton, George Bartlett, Eddie Byrom, Josh Davey, Marchant de Lange, Lewis Goldsworthy, Ben Green, James Hildreth, Tom Lammonby, Jack Leach, Craig Overton, Will Smeed, Max Waller.

Somerset's second overseas signing, Devon Conway, is still on international duty with New Zealand, with the ICC World Test Championship final against India set to go to a reserve day tomorrow, after the first four days in Southampton were hampered by rain.