Simon Jones is set to miss the Ashes after another injury setback © Getty Images

Simon Jones is likely to miss this winter's Ashes after undergoing keyhole surgery on his left knee. The ECB confirmed that he is likely to need at least five months' recuperation from the operation which was performed in Colorado by the surgeon Richard Steadman.

Jones has been plagued by injury since last year's Trent Bridge Test when he was unable to play a full part in Australia's second innings as he began to feel the effects of the bone spurs in his ankle. He missed the Pakistan tour and although he made tentative steps towards a return in India, he then injured his knee in the nets ahead of the first Test.

He flew home alongside Michael Vaughan and then had been making promising strides during the early part of the season with Glamorgan before breaking down again during a C&G game. The trip to the States was seen as a final throw of the dice as he sought the services of Steadman who has dealt with numerous top-level footballers.

Dr Peter Gregory, England's chief medical officer, confirmed the news that everyone had been hoping not to hear. "At this stage, we do not expect Simon to be bowling for at least five months," he said, "which makes his participation in the Ashes extremely unlikely. The rehabilitation from this surgery must be taken slowly to give Simon the best chance of a good result."