Hampshire are quietly confident that Australian star Shane Warne will be fit in time for the start of the county season.

Tim Tremlett, director of cricket at the club, said the latest reports suggest the 33 year old has not suffered long-term damage.

Warne has been signed up as Hampshire's captain for the coming season.

"I was watching the match like most people and was alarmed when I saw him getting injured," Tremlett told BBC Radio 5.

Warne played a season for Hampshire in 2000

"It was quite a nasty injury. Certainly we were very alarmed yesterday, but at least the news that has come out today has been a little bit better.

"There has been no tendon damage which was the real worry, but there is damage to the cartilage and ligament. The best scenario is that he will be out for between four to six weeks.

"So there is a real chance that he will be OK for the World Cup (in February).

"He came to us in 2000 and had had problems with his shoulder before. But he came back stronger so we are just hopeful that he will recover well from this injury."

Tremlett revealed that Hampshire are not insured if Warne is unable to play for them, and they could not claim compensation.

But the club is in contact with the player through their physiotherapist, Pat Farhart, who also works for Australian state side New South Wales.

"The arrangement is that if he had to pull out we would just have to try and find another overseas player. We would have to fall back to our contigency plans," Tremlett said.

"Australia really work on their players night and day to make sure that they are right. For such a star player as Shane Warne they will be pulling out all the stops.

"Shane is such a tremendous asset to cricket and hopefully he will bounce back."