Yorkshire's director of cricket, Geoff Cope, may be forced to sign a second overseas player following the shock news that Craig White has had a piece of rib removed and will be out of action for at least ten weeks.

Cope plans to hold urgent talks with Bradford-born captain Anthony McGrath and coach Kevin Sharp when the pair return from Yorkshire's friendly match with Durham at Riverside later today.

And if it is agreed that Yorkshire now require a second overseas player to support Australian left-hander Matthew Elliott they will go ahead and sign one as soon as possible.

"We need to assess our strengths and weaknesses before making a final decision and it is important I seek the views of McGrath and Sharp first," said Cope.

The absence of White leaves Yorkshire with a gaping hole to fill with the start of the season only eight days away.

He went under the knife in Leeds yesterday after a hospital scan last week revealed problems with his lower rib from which two inches have now been removed.

While awaiting the results of the scan, White said: "I missed some of the one-day matches in Australia because my side was hurting and it was still bothering me during the World Cup in South Africa.

"I badly wanted to play in cricket's showpiece competition but I am now probably paying the price for doing so."

White has been told he needs six weeks complete rest and it is expected to be twice that time before he can bowl again which puts him out of England contention for at least three months.