Howell made his reappearance outdoors at the weekend, playing for High School Old Boys, and in a Canterbury Cricket Max trial.

However, he is still well short of match and physical fitness, having been sidelined since June with a shoulder reconstruction.

Howell, 26, has been hampered by the injury to his throwing arm every season for the last five years.

It worsened last season with Howell playing more than expected at a higher level after winning a place as a punishing opener for the Black Caps in the one-day arena, where he played 12 matches.

By the season's end, after more problems when he last appeared for New Zealand at a one-day tournament in Sharjah, and having time off the field for Canterbury in the Shell Trophy final against Northern Districts, Howell knew corrective surgery was needed.

However, what was thought to be just a one-hour operation became a four-hour one for two surgeons, as they discovered some of the bicep muscle had ripped away from the shoulder.

``There was a lot of ligament damage and they ended up having to stitch the muscle back where it was coming off and pin it.''

Howell said 6mm was trimmed off the underside of his shoulder blade to complete the operation.

``I had to have the arm in a sling for ages while it healed which meant I couldn't do much at all.''

Only recently Howell felt he had enough power in the arm to confidently hold a bat, but he is yet to be able to throw properly.

``The surgeons say I should be 75 per cent for Conference Cricket next month and 100 per cent by the end of the season.

``I want to be available at all levels again.''

Howell is at present training throwing balls of tape, which are lighter than a cricket ball, as he regains use and mobility of the shoulder.

``I won't be throwing much from the boundary for a while yet, but I should be able to get around the 30m inside circle OK.''