Batter Nick Kelly will miss Leicestershire’s last-ditch effort to avoid County Championship relegation after suffering a rib injury.

The 33-year-old was hurt in the the Foxes’ victory against Hampshire last week – a game in which he produced a second-innings top score of 86 to help ensure Leicestershire took their battle to avoid the drop to the final round of fixtures.

Despite the injury, he went on to feature in Sunday’s One-Day Cup final and even top scored with 103 as Leicestershire were beaten by Middlesex at Trent Bridge.

The injury, however, has brought an abrupt end to his campaign on the eve of the Foxes’ must-win match against title chasing Warwickshire at Edgbaston.

“Thank you for everything you’ve given in a Foxes shirt, Nick,” the club posted on X.

“In such a short space of time, you’ve written your name into Leicestershire history and become a true club legend.”