Jon Holland’s season-ending shoulder surgery won’t crush the left-arm spinner’s spirits and a possible back-up role with next year’s Ashes squad is still on the cards, according to Victoria coach Greg Shipperd.

Just a week after national chairman of selectors John Inverarity named him as one of the top two spinners in the land alongside Test offie Nathan Lyon, Victoria confirmed on Thursday the uncapped Holland had been ruled out for the entire season after having surgery.

The 25-year-old claimed 10 wickets at an average of 27.30 for Australia A in England in 2012 while Lyon’s eight wickets came at an average of 48.75.

Holland was injured during a club game last weekend.

“It’s disappointing news but I have come back from this before and I believe I still have a lot of good cricket ahead of me,” Holland said in a statement.

Holland also had a shoulder reconstruction in early 2010.

Inverarity is set to name an Australia A squad on Friday to play South Africa at the SCG on November 2-4 and Holland had been expected to push strongly for a place in the side.

But Shipperd says Holland is still a chance to be part of Australia’s extended squad for next year’s Ashes tour and he urged selectors to consider throwing him into the fray against England.

“A bowler of his quality and depending on the needs of the team at the time, should he be fit and playing then, there’s always time for a selection gamble,” Shipperd told reporters on Thursday.

“Whether that occurs for Jon Holland or anyone else, time will tell.

“I believe Cricket Australia will be bedding some players down in England during the course of the Ashes series and that would be a great opportunity for him to blend into that environment and perhaps be a bowling machine on the rise around the Australian group.

“It has been a tragic time for him given that he was rapidly improving and has been quite close to higher honours.

“He’s a character who will bounce back. He’s been through it before.”