COLNE have been dealt a devastating blow on the eve of the Lancashire League’s first double header weekend of the season with the news their professional Anwar Ali will now not arrive until the end of May.

The Pakistani pace man was due to land in England this morning in time for the game with Enfield tomorrow and the Pendle derby with Nelson on Sunday.

But he found out late on Thursday night that he must now attend a Pakistan training camp and will not come to England until May 28.

“We are absolutely gutted,” said Colne skipper Jeff Ellis. “It is devastating and Anwar was almost in tears on the phone.

“It is a training camp ahead of a Pakistan A tour and while he won’t be called up for that, he has to go to the camp.

“It seems to be every year that we have problems and it really is annoying because we wanted to make a real push and aim for that top three.

“Now we have to sign substitute professionals and you never really know what or who you will get.”