Ronnie Irani will be sweating on a Chelmsford treadmill today in a bid to get fit for the launch of Essex's Twenty20 Cup quest against Surrey on Saturday.
But the 31-year-old County Ground captain warned: "Although I'm chomping at the bit to get back into action, the timing of my return must be right, both for Ronnie Irani and Essex."
The England all-rounder hasn't played since limping out of the penultimate day of his county's Championship defeat by Surrey at Chelmsford with a recurring knee injury three weeks ago.
And now he is desperate to be back at the helm when Essex do battle with Surrey in the birth of the new 20-overs competition at Imber Court in two days time.
"I really don't know whether I'm going to be fit for the Surrey game or the National League match against Warwickshire at Chelmsford a day later," said Irani.
"I want to be fit and I'm busting a gut to be fit," he said. "But I've got to be the ultimate professional from here on in and gauge my return when I know it is right.
"If I come back too soon I could set myself back several weeks and that's no use either to me or Essex.
"I don't have a career-threatening injury or anything so serious as that, but 15 years of pounding my leg down on the crease while bowling has taken its toll and I've got to look after myself."
Published Thursday, June 12, 2003
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