London, March 29 -- England's Test skipper Ben Stokes was initially expected to return to competitive cricket early next month, but now appears set for a longer recovery period.

In February of this year, Stokes was struck in the face while assisting in the nets. This resulted in a broken cheekbone and forced Stokes to undergo surgery for the same, according to the ICC website.

The all-rounder has been out of international action since the end of the Ashes series in Australia. He had also suffered a groin injury in the final Ashes Test.

Stokes was expected to return to competitive cricket sooner with his county Durham, but is now expected to miss much of the cricket action in the coming weeks, with a return expected in May.

Speaking at...