KENT fast bowler Amjad Khan faces a season on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on his injured right knee last night.

The 26-year-old was forced to fly home from the England A tour of Bangladesh without bowling a ball and the prognosis by two London-based knee specialists confirmed the worst.

As the injury occurred while on international duty both ECB and Kent’s physiotherapy teams will play a part in Khan’s recovery.

It is also likely that Kent will receive compensation following this setback in losing their leading wicket-taker for 2006.

Kent’s chairman of cricket Graham Johnson said: "My heart really goes out to the guy because he’s done so well and tried so hard. Amjad had rightfully worked his way into the frame for international honours and for this to happen to him now is gutting.

"Now it’s a case of giving him the best support we can, helping him through the recovery period and making sure he doesn’t try and rush back too soon."

Looking ahead to a season without the club’s spearhead strike bowler, Johnson added: "This does at least give someone else opportunity to step up, go out and do job for the first team.

"The likes of James Iles and Alex Blakey came through from the youth ranks last year and weren’t far off playing."