LONDON: England pacer Chris Woakes is racing against time to be fit for the Ashes later this year, saying rehabilitation “may be a risk worth taking” over surgery on his dislocated shoulder to keep his hopes alive.
The 36-year-old has undergone scans and is awaiting results but believes an eight-week rehab programme could have him ready for the first Test in Perth on November 21.
“I’m waiting to see what the extent of the damage is but I think the options will be to have surgery or to go down a rehab route and try and get it as strong as possible,” Woakes told BBC Sport.
“I suppose naturally with that there will be a chance of a reoccurrence, but I suppose that could be a risk that you’re just willing to take sort of thing.”
Woakes had injured his shoulder while trying to save a boundary on the opening day of the fifth Test against India.