Graham Napier says the frustration of his recent injury-lay off has reminded him of his love of the game.

The Colchester-born all-rounder is set to return for Essex tonight in their NatWest T20 Blast match, at Somerset.

Napier has not played since suffering a calf injury in their LV County Championship clash with Worcestershire, in May.

But the former Gilberd School pupil came through a second XI game at Bishop’s Stortford earlier this week.

And the 34-year-old is ready to hand Essex a boost by ending his frustrating injury lay-off, this weekend.

Napier said: “I just want to get out and play.

“Being injured is so disappointing and I’m really hungry to get out there in the middle and play - it reminds you how much you love the game.”

Napier is set to return home to Castle Park at next month’s Colchester Cricket Festival, which begins on Saturday, July 12.

Essex take on Kent Spitfires in the first-ever NatWest T20 Blast match to be held at Colchester, before hosting Hampshire in the LV= County Championship.

For tickets, visit www.essexcricket.org.uk/tickets or ring 01245 254010.

Alternatively visit the County Ground, in Chelmsford.

For more on this story and all of the latest Essex CC news, see the Daily Gazette.