Yorkshire opener Andrew Gale has had a successful operation on his right elbow after sustaining some ligament damage during the Friends Provident Trophy semi-final defeat against Essex in July.

The 25-year-old batsman was warned that he could be out for up to eight months but will now be back in training early in the new year.

“The doctors did tell me that I could be out for a long time but the operation went well and everything is looking good now,” said left-hander Gale.

“I am out of the sling so I will be back in training the first week in January gearing up for Abu Dhabi (in March).”

Despite sustaining the injury in early July, Gale not only played through the pain until the end of the season but he impressed greatly.

His sparkling form at the top of the order in four-day cricket included a Roses century against Lancashire at Old Trafford.