Leicestershire off-spinner Jigar Naik is set to miss the next six weeks after suffering a broken arm while batting against Surrey yesterday.

The 24-year-old was struck on the arm by a delivery from Surrey pace bowler Chris Jordan shortly after lunch.

Ironically, Naik stepped into the County side at the last minute when all-rounder Wayne White suffered an ankle injury during pre-match warm-ups.

"Jigar was struck by a short ball," said County senior coach Tim Boon. "It is a clean break but not displaced so it should heal quite well.

"We anticipate that he will be out for six weeks. It's a cruel blow and the lad is devastated. He has been bowling nicely but now he is going to miss the Twenty20 games that are coming up."

Naik's bowling was a feature of the three games the Foxes have won to date in the Twenty20 and he seemed sure to retain his place in the side to face Lancashire at Liverpool on Monday.

"Jigar has formed a very effective partnership with Claude Henderson," said Boon. "He has been part of a winning team. That is something we are going to have to re-think now."

Boon was also left to ponder a poor first-day showing from his batsmen as County crumbled to 165 all out against Surrey, having chosen to bat.

"Surrey bowled particularly well in the morning," said Boon.

"The ball swung and there was a bit of bounce but we played too many loose shots."

Naik's absence also reduced the bowling options available to skipper Boeta Dippenaar when Surrey replied, County having already had to reshuffle their resources when White, a seam bowler, withdrew just moments before the toss.