Daggers drawn by Grace Road return

I adore the club and I wouldn't be doing it if I didn't think I could legitimately compete at that level

Charles Dagnall

Charles Dagnall says he would love the chance to return to county cricket with his former club Leicestershire.

The BBC Radio Leicester Drive Time presenter was forced to retire in 2005 because of persistent shin problems.

But Dagnall, 33, has been playing club cricket in Nottinghamshire and turned out for Leicestershire in Sunday's Pro40 defeat against Warwickshire.

"I feel great. I've lost weight and feel fighting fit. I just hope Sunday wasn't my only shot," he said.

The fairy tale return to was not to be as Dagnall, who bowled five overs for 34 runs, was unable to prevent a young Foxes side suffering a crushing nine-wicket defeat to his first county Warwickshire at Edgbaston.

But Dagnall, who was arguably the pick of the Foxes' bowlers, was not downhearted.

He told BBC Sport: "Sunday was my first game at that level for more than four years and the game itself was a massive let-down. We didn't get enough runs on the board and then we didn't bowl well enough.

"We were a very inexperienced side and the average age of the side was very low but it will be great experience for the younger lads.

"And from a personal point of view I would have liked to have bowled a bit better, but I got a nice cheer when the names were read out and I really enjoyed it."

Dagnall, who was released by Leicestershire in December 2005 after an injury-ravaged final season at Grace Road, is raring to give county cricket another go.

For the past two seasons he has been a regular for Notts Premier League side Papplewick and Linby (who also have former England paceman Phil DeFreitas and Australian batsman Stuart Law on their books).

Dagnall in sports-casual BBC radio presenter mode

And a good start this summer convinced him it was the right time to step up his comeback.

Dagnall, known as Daggers, approached Leicestershire and, after an appearance for the seconds, was selected for the first team in Birmingham on Sunday.

He explained: "At the beginning of the season I felt in great shape, I was bowling well, the ball was coming out nicely and I thought 'why not'?

"I still have three or four years of decent bowling left in me and I think I can help.

"There's nothing financial about it - it's simply about wanting to play again. You are a long time retired and I think I still have plenty to offer.

"I still swing the ball well enough and bowl a lively pace and would love to play all forms of the game.

"I adore the club, it was great to play again and I wouldn't be doing it if I didn't think I could legitimately compete at that level. We'll just see how things go."

Dagnall, who started his county career with Warwickshire, told BBC Sport he would relish the chance to return to the top of the domestic game after a tough four years.

"I had an operation on my shins in mid-2005 and was released by Leicestershire," he stated.

"In 2006 I had the opportunity to join another county but didn't want to take people's money if I wasn't able to play the entire season.

"But now that I've had time to rest and recover I feel great."

Leicestershire's Dagnall celebrates taking Kevin Pietersen's wicket in 2004

Dagnall, who combines presenting BBC Radio Leicester's Drive Time show with regular slots on the station's midweek Sports Time programme, was quick to point out he approached Leicestershire, not the other way around.

He added: "I thank Tim Boon (head coach) and David Smith (chief executive) for giving me the opportunity. I just want another couple of shots."

Dagnall's career highlight (so far) was helping Leicestershire triumph in the 2004 Twenty20 Cup but he says playing with an array of star names is something that he will never forget.

"Winning the Twenty20 Cup was wonderful and I've played with some real legends," he said. "Daffy has coached my bowling for nigh on a decade and I've played with the likes Daffy, Allan Donald and Devon Malcolm - some amazing players."

And a few more bowling displays like the one that saw him take 4-22 - including the wicket of a certain Kevin Pietersen - as the Foxes flummoxed the Nottinghamshire Outlaws in the Twenty20 Cup in July 2004 may see yet him earn a more permanent deal at Grace Road.

Charles Dagnall combines presenting BBC Radio Leicester's Drive Time show with regular slots on the station's midweek Sports Time show.