Darren Gough has said he is very confident he will be fit enough to make his England comeback in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Lord's starting on May 16. Gough, who is recovering from a knee injury, added he hoped to make his return to action in a second X1 game for Yorkshire in the next few days. "There have been suggestions I will be struggling to be fit in time to face Sri Lanka, but they are wrong," Gough said. "I have every confidence I'll be back.

"I'm still having a few problems with my knee but my surgeon sees no reason why I shouldn't be back playing next week. The past couple of weeks have been a frustrating time for me because I haven't been able to get back out on a cricket pitch after my knee operation.

"The surgery itself was a total success, but I've experienced some swelling in the knee every time I've picked up a ball and tried to get bowling again. I can do everything else, just not bowling. But a cortisone injection this week is expected to solve all that.

"The swelling I've been experiencing in my knee in the past week has meant that I haven't been able to play in any of Yorkshire's Benson and Hedges Cup games this week. That's been really annoying because I'd pencilled those games in as my first games back after my knee operation. I need to get back out in the middle and get a few overs under my belt before I'll have any chance of securing my spot for the first Test.

"The only thing I am concerned about at the minute is to get back bowling and finally playing some cricket again. That will be for Yorkshire first - the first Test is still two weeks away so there's plenty of time to worry about facing Sri Lanka once I've managed to get a game under my belt for Yorkshire.

"I'm aiming to be back in time for next Sunday's one-day game against Somerset - if all goes well. There's every chance that I'll turn out for the second XI side at some point over the next few days to test my knee. If I can come through that unscathed I'll play against Somerset next Sunday with one eye firmly on Lord's. It's been a long road back after the operation but the end is in sight now."

Gough, who recently announced the break-up of his marriage, has been out of action since February when he sustained a cartilage injury to his knee during England's final one-day international in New Zealand. When fit, Gough is the spearhead of England's attack. In 56 Tests he has taken 228 wickets at an average of 27.57.

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