Matt Prior is set to miss at least the opening month of the cricket season – and has reiterated his fear that he may never play again.

The former England wicketkeeper was hopeful of being fit for Sussex’s Championship clash with Hampshire on April 12 after undergoing Achilles surgery in September.

But the serious nature of his injury means Prior is unlikely to be ready to play again until May at the earliest, meaning he would also miss the Championship games against Worcestershire and Durham.

The 32-year-old has yet to pick up a bat or pull on his wicketkeeper gloves and although he insists he is making progress, rates his chances of ever playing competitively again at 50-50.

Prior, speaking ahead of the official launch of his new cycling team ONE Pro Cycling said: “It is a slow process and a very frustrating one. It is a big injury but I’m working very hard with all the guys at Sussex and the ECB to ensure I give myself every opportunity to come back as fit as ever.

“It is still 50-50 (whether he plays again) if I’m honest but realistically we are only going to know when I start playing cricket again and that is some way off at the moment.

“I am doing all the gym work and rehab at the moment to get to a place where I can play but the test will come when I have to stand in the field for six hours.

“I have started running which is good. It is only in a straight line at the moment but I can feel I am making progress every day.

“I’m still a way off going in the nets and I don’t know if I’ll go with the squad to Dubai (for their pre-season training camp next month). I hope I will be in a position to go but there is not much point if I am not able to actually play any cricket.

“If I am honest I think I am going to struggle to be ready for the start of the season. I would love to be out there for the opening game but it is not looking very likely unfortunately.”

Prior insists he still has unfinished business with both Sussex and England having been a key member of two of the most successful sides of the modern era.

The former Brighton College pupil helped Sussex win three Championship titles and went on to feature in three Ashes-winning series as England reached the top of the Test rankings.

But Prior is realistic that he may never add to his 79 Test caps and says he will hang up his boots if attempting to make a comeback from such a serious injury puts his future wellbeing in jeopardy.

He added: “No one wants to put a date on it (his comeback) more than me but it is impossible when I am still such a long way off and there is still a chance I won’t ever play again.

“With an injury like this it could affect my life after cricket if I try to come back. I don’t want to be walking with a limp for the rest of my life so I have to take that into consideration.”