Worcestershire sign Yorkshire allrounder Matthew Waite on two-week loan to cover for injured Joe Leach

A back injury has forced the former skipper out of action, leading to a move for the Yorkshire allrounder who is available for four matches

Yorkshire's Matthew Waite has joined Worcestershire on a two-week loan deal to cover for the injury absence of Joe Leach.

Leach has suffered a back problem and faces a spell on the sidelines after he missed the draw with Derbyshire.

Waite, unused by the Headingley club this season, has moved to New Road and is available for the club's next four matches.

He goes straight into contention to play for Worcestershire in their LV=Insurance County Championship match against Leicestershire starting on Thursday (May 19).

After they kick off their T20 Blast campaign against Yorkshire, Waite is also free to play in three matches in the 20-over competition against Notts Outlaws, Lancashire Lightning and Durham.

^{Waite played a major role as Yorkshire reached the quarter-finals of last season's One-Day Cup (Harry Trump/Getty Images)}

The bowling allrounder has played eight first-class matches, 22 List A games and 17 T20s but has not featured in a senior encounter since August 24.

"Matthew is a bowling all-rounder who bats at seven or eight, a like for like replacement for Joe Leach, said Paul Pridgeon, the cricket steering group chair.

"We felt we needed to bring someone in. He came down to join us last night (Monday, May 16) and will practice with the team today (Tuesday, May 17).

"He is available for this week’s Championship match and three T20 games, although he can’t play against Yorkshire, and he is someone we’ve admired for a while."