Phillips has made one first-team appearance this season (Getty)

Essex all-rounder Tim Phillips will be out of action until June following surgery on damaged cartilage in his right knee.

The slow-left-arm bowler picked up the injury during last week's Second XI match against Surrey at Garon Park.

Phillips's recovery is expected to keep him out of contention until the start of the Twenty20 Cup in mid-June.

The 27-year-old has made one first-team appearance so far this season against Kent in the Friends Provident Trophy.