England will be without fast bowler Tim Bresnan for the next two months after he underwent surgery on his elbow, which means he will likely only be back in time for the return series against New Zealand.

Bresnan was forced to miss the current trip to the Land of the Long White Cloud with this problem, and he previously had surgery for the same issue in 2011.

A ECB statement said: "England and Yorkshire bowler Tim Bresnan has undergone an uncomplicated operation on his right elbow to remove extra bone and scar tissue.

"Bresnan will now commence a 6-8 week rehabilitation and back to bowling programme before returning to competitive cricket early in the summer."

Aside from the New Zealand series in England, he should be available for the ICC Champions Trophy in June.