Gough agrees short-term Yorkshire deal

Darren Gough is prepared to accept a short-term contract from Yorkshire to prove he has recovered from a career-threatening knee injury.

"It will not be for a season because I have been injured," he said. "I am still chatting with the club but I will be signing, hopefully on Friday."

Yorkshire have suggested a two-tiered deal where a longer contract would kick in if Gough makes a successful return. "Our intentions are that he will be fit for the start of the season and we are in the final stages of discussions," Yorkshire's chief executive Colin Graves said.

As a bowler with 228 Test wickets Gough is used to being the centre of attention but his opposition to a downgraded contract appears to have mellowed during a winter in which he has been restricted to the gym. He was patched up and operated on so often last year that neither Yorkshire or England renewed their contracts. The security from the deal suits Yorkshire because they are concerned with his availability as they try to climb out of the County Championship's second division.

But Gough is delighted with his progress following work with the club's physiotherapist Wayne Morton. "I've been training since March 3 and the knee has been fine," he said.

Gough first suffered the injury bowling for England in New Zealand in February last year and when he left the Ashes squad in November many feared his career was over. But when a knee specialist in the United States ruled out a fourth operation, giving him hope of making a full recovery, he vowed to fight back.