England quick keen to prove fitness ahead of Ashes series

England fast bowler Mark Wood is hoping a county return next month will help him prove his fitness for the eagerly-awaited Ashes tour at the end of the year.

Wood hasn't played a Test match for England since August last year and is only returning to full fitness from the knee injury he picked up at the ICC Champions Trophy event in February.

The experienced quick revealed he was close to making an appearance for the final match of England's recent home Test series against India, but a setback at training pushed back his return.

"The injury is all right," Wood said on the Stick to Cricket podcast.

"It was 50-50 whether I was going to make the India Test but I was bowling at Lord's and then, the next day, my knee swelled up again so I had it drained and since then it's just been about taking things easy looking ahead to the winter."

Wood's fitness will be crucial for England as they attempt to win a first Ashes series in Australia since 2011, with the 35-year-old likely to play a pivotal role alongside fellow quicks Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue, Brydon Carse and even Chris Woakes should he be able to overcome his own fitness concerns.

The right-armer collected 14 wickets from just three Tests during the most recent Ashes series in England and is aiming to play at least one county match for Durham over the next month to prove to selectors that he should make the trip to the southern hemisphere and play in the first Test that commences in Perth on November 21.

Durham have matches scheduled next month against Essex (from September 8), Worcestershire (September 15) and Yorkshire (September 24) and Wood is keen to show he is over his persistent knee problem.

"I'll try and play one or two of those matches," Wood said.

"I've been well looked after and very cautious.

"I value it as they've got this end game where they want me to get to Australia.

"But I said to (England coach Brendon McCullum) Baz McCullum I can't just bowl to a net for four months, I'll go insane.

"There's a bowling camp in Loughborough in a tent - getting acclimatised there ready for Perth - then I'll go over to Perth early with a couple of bowlers.

"We'll arrive about a week early to prepare and get acclimatised."

Series schedule:

First Test: Perth Stadium, November 21-25
Second Test: Gabba, December 4-8
Third Test: Adelaide Oval, December 17-21
Fourth Test: MCG, December 26-30
Fifth Test: SCG, January 4-8