Cricket allrounder Lionel Cann is wearing a heavy cast on his right hand this week - the result of a broken thumb suffered during a motorbike accident.

But but the St. David's ace reckons he'll be back in action sooner rather than later.

A speedy return will no doubt be welcomed by the east enders who have now moved within striking distance of the leaders in the Premier Division after a slow start. They currently hold down third place behind frontrunners Southampton Rangers and St. George's.

Cann suffered the setback while riding in Paget and says he was fortunate to escape with just the single break along with other scrapes which he described as minor.

"I'm confident I will be back soon. The cast comes off on July 3 and I expect to play right away, I guess you can say that I am a fast healer," he said.

While the player bats and bowls right handed, and the injury was suffered on that hand, Cann says he's not concerned. Looking on the bright side, he believes his absence will offer the club an opportunity to play some of their younger players.

"That's the good thing that comes out of something like this," he added. "Our team is just getting things together after a slow start to the season and with the youngsters being able to learn their trade they can only get better which will benefit the team in the long run."

There was some concern that Cann, a prominent member of the St. George's Cup Match team last year, would be prevented from competing for a place this time around, but he scoffs at that suggestion.

"As far as the injury is concerned my thumb remains a little sore but I have made a lot of progress. What I view to be most important at this stage is to get into a couple of league and knockout games for St. David's and Cup Match will come after that," he said.

"It's cricket season, my type of season and there is no doubt that I will be back soon. The break, the bruised knee and rash all over the face is not going to slow me up much. All is healing and I am looking forward to returning."