NSW seam bowler Trent Copeland is set to miss the first half of the domestic season with a back stress fracture.

The former Australian Test player hopes to be back batting for club side St George within two weeks, however he won’t return to bowling until just before Christmas.

Copeland, part of NSW’s victorious Sheffield Shield side last summer, will be a major loss to the Blues who also have Australian allrounder Moises Henriques (calf) on the sidelines.

The 28-year-old averages 25 with the ball at first-class level and has also stepped up in leadership responsibilities for the Blues, who lose many of their stars to international duties every summer.

A scan confirmed Copeland needs time away from bowling.

“I really felt the pain when I captained in the recent NSW 2nd XI match”, Copeland said.

“I went and had scans afterwards and they pinpointed the fracture. The injury is already showing signs of getting better … I hope to be bowling just before Christmas and to be available to play by the back end of the Big Bash.”

An inexperienced Blues side missing 14 players – 12 to international duty – will take on Victoria in the opening match of their Sheffield Shield title defence at the MCG on Friday.