Gough is primed for a welcome return to the England fold

Darren Gough said on Sunday he has "no doubt" he will be recalled by England this summer.

The fast bowler, who has taken 228 wickets in 56 Tests, has not played for his country since July last year after suffering a knee injury.

But he is supremely confident of a return to international action after taking six wickets in Yorkshire's first match in the county championship last week.

"I want to get my England contract back," Gough said on Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme.

"It's something I've worked really hard at and they (England selectors) have been watching me.

"If I'm bowling anything like I can I have no doubt I will be invited back into the England fold.

I'm full of happiness and looking forward to playing every game Darren Gough

"If I thought the England captain and the selectors didn't want me to play again, I wouldn't be doing all this.

"But they all do and they all think I'm a top quality bowler - and that's good enough for me."

Gough was warned by doctors his career could be over when the injury ruled him out of the Ashes and World Cup.

"They said in Australia I'd never play again, and I had resigned myself to that," he admitted.

"But all the hard work has been worth it just to get back playing again."

Delighted

While he was delighted by his comeback match for Yorkshire, Gough said he was not taking his fitness for granted.

"I was really pleased by the way I went last week, it was better than I expected," he revealed.

"Not played for a long time in a first-class game, I rock up and get six wickets.

"That's not bad, is it?

"But I'm just happy to be playing at the moment.

"You never know, I might wake up in two weeks' time and can hardly walk so then it might be time to walk away.

"But at this moment in time I'm full of happiness and looking forward to playing every game."

England's first Test of the summer is against Zimbabwe, starting on 22 May at Lord's.