Naved passed fit for Yorkshire stint

	Rana Naved-ul-Hasan will be swapping the Sussex martlet for the Yorkshire white rose in 2008 © Getty Images

Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, the Pakistan fast bowler, has been passed fit to take up his contract with Yorkshire for the 2008 season after recovering from a serious shoulder injury. However his debut will be delayed by a few weeks and Yorkshire will sign another player as cover.

There had been doubt surrounding Naved's participation following the injury which he sustained playing for Sussex, against Durham, during the final part of the last English season. However, after consultation with Scott McAllister, the Yorkshire physio, a decision has been made to stick with him.

"We are delighted with Rana's progress; he has made a remarkable recovery and we are particularly impressed with his desire to play for Yorkshire," said the chief executive Stewart Regan. "We want to ensure he has the best possible chance to fully recover from his injury and therefore we have agreed with Rana and his agent to delay his debut for several weeks so that when he returns he is in top condition."

Regan added that the club have an "exciting contingency plan" for an overseas player to cover for Naved and they will make an announcement next week.

Naved added that he was looking forward to a productive season following previously successful stints with Sussex. "I am relieved that this period of uncertainty is now over and I can become a Yorkshire player," he said. "I am pleased with my progress and feel in good shape [and] I am confident I can take wickets for Yorkshire."

The Pakistan board have recently said that they are going to clamp down on their leading players signing county deals because of concerns over their workload. However, Naved has been out of the reckoning since the World Cup last year and his international days now appear behind him.

He will join up with his new team-mates on April 7 following Yorkshire's pre-season tour to Dubai.