SOMERSET wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter is facing a spell on the sidelines after injuring his ankle playing football.

The in-form 20-year-old has already been ruled out of next week's key County Championship clash with Durham, which starts on Tuesday at Taunton.

Reserve keeper Carl Gazzard has not played a first-team game all year but has travelled to Trent Bridge for the final day of the current fixture with Nottinghamshire – a match which looks certain to end in a draw.

Director of cricket Brian Rose said: "If it is only a sprain it is likely to take a week to clear up and if it is ligaments it is a more serious thing.

"We have to wait for the swelling to go down before he can have another scan and see how serious it is."

"We have got three games to go and if Carl Gazzard has to come in then that will be fine because he has been keeping well for the seconds. I suspect he will be quite excited to get his chance, especially when we are doing so well."

Kieswetter, who has scored 121, 89 and 39 in his last three innings, is, like most of his colleagues, a keen footballer.

Rose added: "Some people will say: 'Why are they playing football or touch rugby?' But it is a team thing and people will get injured if you just practise cricket. Glenn McGrath stood on a (cricket) ball and missed part of the Ashes.

"Try any practice you like and you will get injured sooner or later. It is the law of averages."

Kieswetter recently signed a two-year extension to his Taunton contract until September 2011.