Haris Rauf ruled out of Yorkshire's upcoming County fixture against Essex

In a body-blow for Yorkshire, Pakistan seamer Haris Rauf is destined to miss their forthcoming fixture against Essex due to injury.

Rauf has been the spearhead of Yorkshire's bowling attack in their three county championship games.

So far, the skiddy pacer has claimed 14 wickets in three Division 01 games. He did not bowl in Kent's second innings during Yorkshire's latest fixture due to a problem in his left side.

The 28-year-old claimed a five-wicket-haul in Kent's first innings, and Yorkshire hugely felt his absence in the second innings. The game eventually ended in a draw, with Kent racking up 393 runs in the second innings.

Following a high-scoring draw, Yorkshire coach Ottis Gibson confirmed to BBC sport that Rauf has undergone a scan, and while the injury isn't severe, it's rugged enough to rule him out of the upcoming fixture against Essex.

"He's had a scan, and early suggestions are that it's not too bad,"

Rauf's injury is set to open doors for the 28-year-old seamer Ben Coad to return to First-Class cricket after recovering from a groin injury.

Coad has 192 FC wickets against his name but has featured in just one game this season.

Meanwhile, former England Test skipper and legendary batter Joe Root is in line to make his first county championship appearance for Yorkshire this season.

Root, who scored 291 runs in five championship games last summer, will be a valuable addition to the Yorkshire set-up, who are currently languishing at the 4th spot in the points table following a solitary win in three outings far.

It will also help Root get some red-ball practise under his belt before the all-important international summer against New Zealand next month.

Yorkshire will take on Essex at Chelmsford from May 05.