Morkel's Yorkshire stay cut short

Morkel hopes to return to England with South Africa in July (Getty)

South African pace bowler Morne Morkel has been forced to cut short his stay with Yorkshire after scans confirmed a hamstring injury.

The 23-year-old was brought in as an early season overseas replacement for Pakistan's Rana Naved.

Morkel said: "I am really upset that an injury is forcing me to return home.

"Everyone at Yorkshire has made me very welcome and I was desperate to take some wickets and get Yorkshire off to the best possible start."

Morkel picked up the injury during last week's drawn County Championship match against Nottinghamshire at Headingley, and scans this week confirmed that it was worse than first feared.

Hopefully my chance of playing county cricket for Yorkshire has not gone forever Morne Morkel

With an estimated healing time of three to six weeks, and as Morkel was due to be replaced by Naved in early June, Yorkshire and Morkel decided that it was best for him to return to South Africa.

"I wish the club every success this season and look forward to seeing everyone again when I am back here for the Tests and One Day Internationals with South Africa," Morkel said.

"Hopefully my chance of playing county cricket for Yorkshire has not gone forever."

Martyn Moxon, director of professional cricket at Headingley, said: "We have a strong squad and as Rana Naved will be unable to register as a Yorkshire player before 19 May there is now a chance for one of our other seamers to grab a first-team opportunity."