CARDIFF-BOOLAROO captain Jay Sneddon has been sidelined with a broken hand and faces surgery, remaining unsure when he'll return to the field.
Sneddon is set to see a specialist on Thursday, having undergone X-rays and consequently missing Saturday's match because of a training incident.
The all-rounder has two fractures following an attempted return catch at Pasterfield Sports Complex late last week.
"I stuck my hand out for a caught and bowled. but it didn't stick," Sneddon said.
"I woke up the next morning and it was unbearable. I went and got an X-ray and they found two fractures in my hand."
Sneddon's diagnosis will determine whether or not he requires surgery and the timeline around recover.
"The best-case scenario might only be a couple of weeks, but that's being optimistic," he said.
"It could be anywhere between four or six weeks, which means I won't be back until after Christmas.
"I'll just have to wait and see. It's disappointing, but that's sport."
CBs welcome back key batsman Rahul Bakshi on Saturday.
CBs, Waratah-Mayfield and Toronto are yet to open their accounts this season.
They are scheduled to meet Wallsend, Newcastle City and Belmont respectively when two-dayers get underway this weekend.
Wallsend are likely without Joe Clarke and Ethan Jekot.
Merewether's Dave Celep (back) is in doubt. Sam Logan returns for University.
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