Essex have suffered another fast-bowling injury blow after Tymal Mills suffered a side strain on day two of the LV= County Championship game with Leicesterhire.
Having been bowled out for 281 on the second morning - James Foster's 82 the top score - the home side started well with a wicket from new loan signing Oliver Newby with just his second ball.
But in Mills' 11th over, he suffered his side strain and was unable to even complete the over.
Newby and Tanveer Sikandar were signed ahead of the game after injuries to Graham Napier and David Masters, joining Saj Mahmood and Reece Topley on the injury list.
Essex's only other registered seamer is Matt Salisbury, who was in the squad for the Leicestershire game having only just returned from injury himself.
After the game with Leicestershire finishes, Essex do have a slight break before hosting Sri Lanka next Tuesday and then starting their T20 campaign at Lord's on May 17.
Leicestershire closed day two on 255-2, with Ned Eckersley (104) and Angus Robson (69) so far putting on 139 for the third wicket.
