England paceman Tim Bresnan has had surgery on his right elbow but should be fit to return for the home Test series against New Zealand in May.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Thursday said Bresnan would begin a rehabilitation period of up to eight weeks after an “uncomplicated operation” to remove extra bone and scar tissue from the elbow of his bowling arm.

The ECB predicts he will be back playing competitive cricket “early in the summer”.

The first of England’s two Tests against New Zealand starts on May 16 at Lord’s. England then play in the ICC Champions Trophy before a home Ashes series against Australia.

Bresnan had already been ruled out of England’s current tour of New Zealand because of the injury.