BARNT Green skipper Andy Sutton says he is closing in on a return to action.

Sutton has been sidelined for the last five weeks with a severely fractured thumb sustained while playing against Kidderminster Victoria.

But Sutton is set to have his cast removed on Saturday morning and has targeted returning to the fray in the Birmingham League Premier two or three weeks after that.

While keen not to rush back and cause further injury, he admits he's felt frustrated watching from the sidelines.

Sutton said: "The cast comes off on Saturday morning and I am hoping to be playing again in two or three weeks.

"I know the surgeon will advise me to wait a bit longer to make sure I have recovered but I will consult the physio at Worcestershire.

"I don't think there will be any pain batting or bowling, I am more worried about fielding but I will have to be careful.

"It was bad timing to break my thumb when I did. Apart from myself, Josh Poysden, and Luke Radford, the team is pretty young in terms of age and number of games played."

Green's hopes of building on last week's fine win over Brockhampton, which ended a four-game losing run, was frustrated as heavy rain forced their game against defending champions West Bromwich Dartmouth to be abandoned.

This Saturday, they take on mid-table rivals Shrewsbury at home (noon start).

Sutton said: "It was disappointing not to play but now we face a very tough game against Shrewsbury."