White out for three months after surgery

England all-rounder Craig White is expected to be out of international cricket for three months after undergoing a rib operation.

The surgery was carried out this morning after the 33-year-old Yorkshireman suffered a series of problems with his side over the winter.

A statement released by Yorkshire revealed that a piece of rib approximately two inches in length had been removed during surgery.

White suffered a side strain during last summer's Test series against India. After he scored an unbeaten 94 in the Trent Bridge Test, it prevented him from bowling for the remainder of the season.

The injury resurfaced during the winter, and White took part in England's World Cup campaign despite the pain in his side.

"It is a problem that has recurred two or three times over the winter," said Yorkshire's medical consultant Wayne Morton.

"It got to the stage where if we didn't do something about it and rehabilitate it properly he would be in a situation where he always had to compromise."

White will be ruled out of England selection for around three months, but Yorkshire are hoping that he will be able to return to County Cricket sooner, possibly as a specialist batsman.