Somerset paceman Mark Turner, pictured, is recovering well from a stress fracture to his back.

The 25-year-old missed the end of the 2009 season because of the injury. It meant he sat out the Pro40 League decider against his old club Durham and the trip to India for the Champions League.

Because of the Twenty20 matches in the sub-continent last month, Somerset's winter training does not start until early December.

But Turner is already back training again and on course to resume bowling in the new year.

Director of cricket Brian Rose said: "He is progressing well and we hope to start him back bowling in January.

"He is not bowling at the moment but I think with good rest and then exercise he will be OK again."

Turner's Somerset contract was extended by a season last winter when he was part of the England fast bowling performance programme.

But, after a close-season trip to Florida to work with ECB bowling coach and former Somerset chief Kevin Shine, he had a mixed campaign in 2009.

For the second year running he played in just one Championship game and will hope to impress new captain Marcus Trescothick in 2010.