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Howell bemoans injury lay-off

David Howell returns to action in the European Open in Ireland and is available at 60 to win the tournament after claiming a two-month wrist injury lay-off has hampered his career plans.

The 32-year-old Englishman and Ryder Cup star has not played since the Players Championship in Florida in May which has seen him drop from 10th in the world rankings a year ago down to 38th place. Indeed he has only played 20 competitive holes since the Masters in April and has therefore drifted considerably in the Order of Merit market after previously being matched at a low of 3.

Howell returns to action at the K Club in Ireland this week for his first European tournament of the year, claiming his injury problems have set him back greatly, while he is worried about how his form will have been affected.

He said: "I had a masterplan for this year, but that has all just been thrown up in the air now. The most frustrating thing is that I put in as much time and effort into my career as anyone."

He added: "Apart from one round I've not played for the best part of three months now and golf's all about momentum.

"It's also stressful not knowing how well you are going to play when you do come back.

"I've come back from previous lay-offs and done well straightaway. I wasn't playing well before I got injured and maybe starting again with a clean slate it will be different."