Injury-plagued Hampshire Cbowler Reece Topley is “ahead of schedule” and looking forward to making his competitive return.

The 22-year-old England international seamer has only played one game for the county since joining in 2015, but is on target to be available for the opening County Championship match against Yorkshire at Headingley on April 7.

The left-armer has been out of action since fracturing his hand on his Championship debut against Warwickshire last April, and has since suffered from a reoccurring back injury.

Topley, who has played ten ODIs and six T20 internationals, then had surgery on his left shoulder during the winter.

Now, though, the former Essex player is excited about the prospects of playing a significant role in Hampshire’s 2017 campaign.

“The shoulder is really good – I’m well ahead of schedule compared to where I should be which is good and I’m looking forward to getting out there,” he said.

“The injury was initially worse than expected which was surprising and frustrating.

“I basically tore my cartilage in the shoulder which caused me quite a lot of pain but that’s all behind me now.”

The recovery process has been aided by Topley’s gym work, guided by advice from medical specialists and the club’s strength and conditioning team.

Whilst he is still yet to bowl a ball in competitive cricket for Hampshire, Topley feels he is in good shape in his pre-season preparations ahead of the opener “I’m where every other bowler is at the minute – just trying to get my action and technique in order for the summer and also increasing my preparations and workload so that’s up to scratch in time for the new season.”

Topley will bowl outdoors for the first time this winter during Hampshire’s pre-season tour to Barbados next week.

He is heading out with the team’s other frontline bowlers on March 9 for a specialist training camp ahead of the arrival of the remainder of the squad three days later.

“At the minute I’m gently bowling with the idea that, by the time I get to Barbados, I’ll be able to run in off my full run and bowl decent spells at high quality batsmen.

“I’ve never normally had pre-season as I’ve been playing somewhere but these next few weeks are pivotal in getting myself in good shape for the first game of the season.

“I want to show my teammates and coaches that I can add value to the side.

“Barbados is a wonderful place and I can’t wait to play for Hampshire – it’s been a long time coming and I do feel more pressure given that it’s been a year since I last played, but that’s something to be embraced and I’m confident that I’m going to enjoy it.”

Less than 12 months ago, Topley was representing England on the world stage, contributing impressively during a 50-over away series against South Africa and helping Eoin Morgan’s men reach a World T20 final in India.

Whilst the paceman still has England ambitions, his focus is very much on performing well for Hampshire in the coming months.

And with the new additions of George Bailey, Kyle Abbott and Rilee Rossouw, Topley is excited by what the season could hold both individually and collectively.

“Obviously I’d love to represent England again but that all starts with doing well for Hampshire - I’m just looking after that to be honest and the first phase of that is my return.

“Going from achieving everything you work towards in your career to then going back to square one, it’s a difficult place to be.

“But every setback is a platform for a comeback and I’m looking forward to showing that.

I’m massively excited for this year - I’ve had the pleasure of playing against George, Kyle and Rilee and what they add to this team it’s very exciting.

“The squad we’ve got is already very talented but those three really could be the icing on the cake.”