Durham seamer Liam Plunkett has revealed his frustration at being on the sidelines following a stunning return to form against Worcestershire.

Plunkett had been out for six weeks with a mystery groin injury but notched 11 wickets as Durham recorded a fourth straight County Championship win.

"It was nice to actually contribute and feel part of the team again," he told BBC Look North.

"I just wanted to take a few wickets and I made a cheeky 29 with the bat."

The absence of Plunkett's County colleagues Steve Harmison and Graham Onions, both on England Lions duty, has handed the 24-year-old a rare opportunity to impress for Geoff Cook's side.

And the Middlesbrough-born medium-pacer is delighted at their success with the national set-up, and having been part of the England camp himself, has not ruled out a push for a return at a later stage.

606: DEBATE Bearing in mind his age Plunkett is a very successful strike bowler who I am sure is developing into a genuine allrounder. magnageordieal

"I want to play for England as much as possible but I want to keep playing for Durham," he said. "I missed out the last couple of years, bowl plenty of overs, play some games and a year or two down the line see how things progress.

"It looks tough work for them (Onions and Harmison) but they're doing well this year and have taken shed-loads of wickets.

"For the North East the lads are doing well and they're amongst the test squad and hopefully I can push them eventually."

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