Vaughan plans county return this week

Michael Vaughan goes through his paces at Headingley © Getty Images

Michael Vaughan is set to make his long-awaited return to competitive cricket when he turns out for Yorkshire this week. He will either play in their C&G Trophy match against Scotland on Monday or in the Championship game against Hampshire which starts on Wednesday.

Vaughan, who has not played since making a brief appearance in a tour match in India three months ago, underwent surgery on his right knee in December, and has battled to return to fitness ever since.

On Friday, Yorkshire physio Wayne Morton said Vaughan was "ahead of schedule" in his rehabilitation and working "extremely hard" on his recovery.

In today's Independent on Sunday, Vaughan admitted that he realised the need for him to return sooner rather than later. "Hopefully I'll be back soon leading the team. That's the one thing that scares me most, that I won't get the opportunity to do that again. I would like to think that the team would allow me to come back and be their leader if I get fit again, whether it's this week, two weeks, four weeks. I'd like to think I'd done enough to get another opportunity if I come back. That is the most important thing."

Andrew Flintoff, who has led England in Vaughan's absence, welcomed the announcement. "It's great news," he grinned. "We want Vaughany back in the side as soon as possible."

Many have privately started saying that Vaughan was finished, but he was at pains to stress that was premature. "I can understand people writing what they have because we hadn't got to the bottom of it. Now we have. It could take quite a bit longer. People have got to be patient, but next time I play cricket, it will be the right time."

It seems that much more will be known by this time next week.