Jones leading the recovery effort for England's injured
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Your support makes all the difference.Simon Jones will make his comeback from a twisted knee by playing for Glamorgan against Cardiff UCCE today, but the fitness of England's other injured players will not be assessed until later this week.
Jones, 25, has not featured for England since the fourth Test against Australia last summer. Michael Vaughan, Ashley Giles and Steve Harmison are also currently injured. Glamorgan had included Jones in their squad for a friendly against Northamptonshire last week but the fixture was abandoned due to rain.
The fast bowler, whose reverse swing played a huge role in defeating Australia last summer, is eager to return to action at Sophia Gardens against the University side. "It's been very frustrating," he said. "You work hard and it's nice and sunny, you go [to play] and it rains," he said. "If I want to get back into the England side I've got to get some wickets and prove my fitness and hopefully that's what I'm going to do. I'll be fit, there are no worries."
The fitness of England's other injured players will be clearer later in the week as Peter Gregory, the England and Wales Cricket Board's chief medical officer, has only just returned from India.
There appears to be mixed news with some reports suggesting that Giles will require a second hip operation. Harmison's shin injury makes him a doubt for the start of the Sri Lanka series on 11 May, but Vaughan may return after his knee injury.
Jones has also targeted getting back into the England side for the Sri Lanka series, adding: "I hope to play. I'll do everything in my power to take wickets for Glamorgan and try to get back in the England side. As long as I'm playing cricket I'll be happy. It's been a long and frustrating winter and I'm just looking forward to getting back on the field."
Duncan Fletcher, the England coach, intends to make Vaughan available for Yorkshire from the start of the season. But Vaughan, who missed the tour to India after knee surgery, will not be rushed back by his county.
Marcus Trescothick made his return with Somerset against Gloucestershire yesterday, but the rest of the centrally-contracted players in India will largely be rested in the three weeks before the first Test.
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