All-rounder Calum Haggett says he is “chomping at the bit” to get his place back in the Kent side after a six-month injury nightmare.

The 23-year-old was an unheralded signing on the eve of the 2013 season but forced his way into the LV= County Championship side for the opening game of the season and went on to take 26 First Class wickets and add 249 runs in his maiden campaign.

Hopes were high the one-time Somerset man would repeat his form this year but a side strain during the close-season left him looking on from the sidelines.

Haggett said: “I had a problem with my side since Christmas. It only hurt when I was bowling but I couldn’t quite shake it off.

“I went for scans but they didn’t really show anything. There was no tear on the scan which is good but annoying because I had no idea what was causing it.

“It’s taken a long time to sort out but hopefully now it will be all right for the rest of the season.”

He added: “Maybe there was a slight change in my action which caused it. I have managed to get action back to where it should be.”

Haggett made a successful return for Kent 2nds, taking six wickets in a Championship win over Gloucestershire at Maidstone before scoring a half-century in a draw at Sussex, while also contributing a half-century for Kent League Premier Division side Blackheath last week.

He said: “Things aren’t too bad at the moment. I need to keep bowling overs and see where I am in the next few weeks.

“I have not spoken to Jimmy Adams or anyone at the moment. All I have been told is to go and bowl as much as I can. Hopefully, if I put in some good performances, you never know. I just want to put my name in the hat, start taking some wickets and try to keep positive.”

One positive from the lay-off from bowling has been the focus on his batting which has brought two half-centuries in recent weeks.

He said: “I couldn’t really feel (my side) when I was batting which was something. It meant I could work on my batting and hopefully now I’m a better batsman than I was, although bowling is the thing that’s going to have to get me in the first team.”

He added: “In pre-season I was coming back to bowling and then I did my side again which was frustrating. With red ball cricket I was looking to try and get in but it didn’t pan out.

“Now I have got to just try and take my chance if it comes along.

“It will be hard to push my way in but I’ll be chomping at the bit if I get my chance.”