DAVID Howell's injury comeback failed to gain any momentum after missing out on the cut at the HNA Open de France.

The 42-year-old had a pedestrian start to the tournament on Thursday where he carded a round two-over par heading into the second day.

With work still to do, the two-time Ryder Cup winner, who withdrew from last week's BMW International Open with a back injury, saw his hopes hampered with a bogey six on the third.

With his scorecard reading three-over, Howell needed a boost if he was to make it to the latter stages of the competition.

The Swindon star was able to produce as he picked up birdies on the par-four fourth, and the par-three 11th.

With stormy conditions in France, Howell was forced back to the clubhouse as weather halted play.

After a short delay, the Broome Manor pro returned to the course and hit a bogey six on the 14th, leaving him a shot above the projected cut with five holes still to play.

Howell then drifted further out of touch with a second consecutive bogey, when it took him five strokes on the 15th.

A birdie three on the 16th went some way to repair the damage, but it was too little too late as the 42-year-old fell short by with a score of four-over.