Kent paceman Amjad Khan has vowed that he will return to full fitness after a knee injury which has kept him out for over a year.
Kent bowler eager to be back in time for new campaign
Kent paceman Amjad Khan has vowed that he will return to full fitness after a knee injury which has kept him out of action for over a year.
Khan suffered ligament damage - as well as a hole in the hard cartilage of his knee in February - and is only just returning to bowling.
The 27-year-old strike bowler was on the verge of an England call-up before his set-back - and Khan has revealed that he still harbours ambitions to play for his country.
"Of course I'd love to play for England," he told the club's official website.
"For me it's about getting back to where I was when I was at my best, which was being selected for the England A tours and the provisional World Cup squad.
"I'm looking to feature in the England Lions game in May against South Africa - that's definitely something to look forward to."
Khan's main priority is to prove his fitness for the start of the domestic season, but the Spitfires seamer also admits he would relish the opportunity to thank the ECB for the confidence they have shown towards him.
Grateful
"Apart from being ready for the start of the season with Kent, which has always been my goal, it would be great to give something back to the ECB after what they have done for me," said Khan.
"The faith the ECB has shown in me has been really good. They've really invested a lot of time in my injury and getting me right.
"The Board has stood for 90 per cent of my rehab and the support they and Kent have offered has been outstanding. I'm really impressed and extremely grateful for all that has been done for me."
Although Khan is eager to work towards his first full international cap - he realises he must be patient before building his England hopes up too high.
"I'm not going to look towards the England Lions tour to India in February, although it's obviously not my decision," admits Khan.
"The idea is to look ahead and get fit for the next domestic season. I should really be ready by February and raring to go for Kent in April. That's the aim anyway."
