Australian all-rounder Will Sutherland will not join Somerset this season due to an unspecified injury.
The 24-year-old was set to arrive at Taunton for the start of the County Championship campaign and play in the T20 Blast for the reigning champions.
But the club said he will now undergo rehabilitation in Australia.
“Everyone involved really feels for Will as he was relishing the challenge of playing for Somerset this summer,” director of cricket Andy Hurry said.
“Obviously, it’s a blow to lose a quality player this close to the start of the season, and our focus now is to secure a suitable replacement.”
Sutherland was also set to play for Essex last summer but missed out with a back injury.
The Victorian made his one-day international debut for Australia against West Indies last month and has two caps for his country.
