By Kevin Howells BBC Sport

Darren Gough was at his most lethal this week, but sadly England could not reap the benefits on the field.

When the injured bowler trundled down the steps at Trent Bridge on practice day, he was a mixture of fire and ice.

The heat I could spot in his determination to run as hard as he could and bowl as fast as his injured knee would allow. The freeze was in the eyes as he glared straight into the Radcliffe Road media centre.

He was searching for those of the press, radio or television who only that morning had warned that Gough's career was either over or near an end.

No doubt still niggling away were the words written and spoken saying he was also overweight.

Gough is desperate to return to action

I love to see Gough on the warpath. Batsmen on more than one occasion have taken the hard end of Gough in a rage at the press.

Sri Lanka avoided that on Thursday because the injured knee was still heavily strapped and in truth the strike bowler was running off just three quarters pace in the nets.

Captain's view

What started the problem within the media ranks were comments by Yorkshire skipper, Darren Lehman who told the Yorkshire Post that after a comeback game playing for the county's Academy side, it looked as if Gough's knee injury was back to square one.

Then it appears that some journalists were given the idea that Gough's problems were indeed very serious and it was unlikely that he would figure at all in the NatWest Series.

The truth appears to be that England are being extremely careful over their man's recovery because they want and need him to be right for perhaps more important matters than the one day series and the Tests against India.

England physio Dean Conway takes a look

The Ashes tour to Australia and the World Cup in South Africa are coming up this winter. Gough loves the big stage and he would be the first to admit both these events are very important to him.

Logic also tells you that he must play and play hard at some point this summer to be ready. That is where the balance needs to be right.

His career may not be over, but days of Darren bowling day in, day out are surely at an end.

One thing which also struck me in Nottingham this week was that you couldn't move for pictures of Gough on nearly every poster or brochure advertising not only the NatWest Series but also those promoting better protection from the sun.

Marketable figure

I recall last winter when the talk was of Gough moving away from Yorkshire, people asked why another county would want to sign him when he played so much cricket for England.

Gough wants another crack at Australia

The answer was simple: he brings in thousands of pounds from promotion and marketing.

Aside perhaps from Nasser Hussain he remains the most recognisable face of English cricket. In all sport, he's not far behind the Beckhams and Owens of this world.

Any county wanting to persuade local companies to hire an executive box for a match would still jump at the chance of telling prospective customers that Gough just might pop in.

It would be a huge selling point. Marketing executives would care little if the man was only half-fit.

At the end of the season, I can guarentee we will go through the same will he, won't he leave Headingley stories. The difference is that 12 months ago, Yorkshire looked very strong their bowling armoury.

There are also plenty of arguments for and against Gough, but to lose him this year would be another piece of negative news which the county can well do without at the moment.

Yorkshire Uncovered can be heard fortnightly on Thursdays on BBC Radio Five Live's Ian Payne Show (7.00-10.00pm). Next instalment: 4 July.