Gough targets Sri Lanka game at Headingley

Darren Gough is aiming to be fit for England's third NatWest Series one-day international against Sri Lanka at Headingley. The Yorkshire fast bowler hopes to play for the Yorkshire second XI against Durham at Darlington tomorrow.

"The knee's coming on well," said Gough, England's leading wicket-taker in one-day internationals with 168 victims from his 106 appearances.

"I always said I wanted to come back in the one-day series and that's what I'm going to do despite what other people were saying.

"England have sent me away to play a competitive game and I'll be coming in off a full run and then I'll meet up with the rest of the boys again on Saturday.

"I had a slight setback on Monday when I was going to play for the seconds and we decided not to risk it and everybody went over the top the following day saying I wasn't going to play again this year," he said.

"I think I've surprised everyone these last couple of days and I want to surprise everyone even more by turning out for England in the NatWest Series next week."

Shortly before the start of today's series opener against Sri Lanka in Nottingham, an England and Wales Cricket Board spokesman said: "He will join the squad at Lord's on Saturday - and subject to no recurrence of his injury he will be available to play at Headingley."

Gough has endured a frustrating start to the summer, missing all county first-team and international cricket after two operations on his right knee in the last three months.