AN injury to David Howell’s foot could keep him out of action for longer than first feared as he continues his recovery.

The 40-year old was forced to pull out of the Maybank Championship in Malaysia after an opening round of 73 back in February.

Initial scans on his left foot proved to be inconclusive and left the Broome Manor pro changing the inner soles of the footwear he wears when playing golf, having endured a long-running problem.

However, at the beginning of this month it appeared the issue was more serious as he tweeted a picture of his foot in a protective boot with the words ‘ideal for a month off with metatarsalgia which is worrying/frustrating’.

It turned out that it was a problem with the ball of his foot causing pain when walking and Howell has been away from the golf course since the diagnosis.

It is now in doubt whether the former Ryder Cup winner, who did not qualify for next week’s Masters at Augusta, will be fit to compete in the next European Tour event at the Real Club Valderrama Open de España, which is due to start on Thursday, April 14.

Speaking shortly after the injury flared u0,p Howell said: “It has not been a glorious start to the year and not what I was after.

“It was promising the second week, finishing 13th, and then Abu Dhabi promised a lot and I fell away and it has been a disappointment since then.

“It has not been all bad. Four out of the five cuts I have made, but no really good results.

“If I was to have a bunch of time off now, it would be frustrating but we’re still early in the year and it is not like I am playing terribly.

“If I can sort the foot out, then who knows – the next good result might be right around the corner.”