Ben Stokes will not make his return from injury with Durham next week as originally planned, as the England captain continues to recover from a freak facial injury.

Stokes suffered a broken cheek when he was struck by a ball during a nets session with Durham in early February, and he subsequently required surgery.

He was initially slated to play their County Championship season opener against Kent next week, but coach Ryan Campbell has now confirmed that will not be the case.

Earlier this week, Stokes said he had endured the toughest period of his England captaincy in the wake of their humiliating 4-1 Ashes series defeat in Australia, and Campbell believes the 34-year-old will have plenty to prove when he finally makes his comeback.

"It could have been horrific. So, so much worse than what you think," Campbell said of Stokes' injury.

"If it's a couple of centimetres a different way, it hits him in the eye and it could have been different.

"The ball was hit so hard. We are just lucky he got away with it. He has been training so hard to be ready. 

"He has a lot to prove. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to know the Ashes didn't go so well and he is a proud man who wants England to be the best team in the world. 

"He, as a professional, is working at getting right and ready to go."

 

 

 

 

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The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed earlier this week that Stokes, head coach Brendon McCullum and managing director Rob Key would all remain in their respective roles, despite England's wait for an Ashes triumph stretching to five series, last winning the urn on home soil in 2015.