Stewart - wants his place back Photo CricInfo

Alec Stewart wants his England place back - and believes a winter off has refreshed him and sharpened his appetite to return to the international fray.

Stewart, 39, made himself unavailable for the Test series in India, and missed the one-day series and tour of New Zealand that followed as a result.

In Stewart's absence, the 22-year-old Essex wicketkeeper James Foster took over behind the stumps, and although he missed several chances both in India and New Zealand, he has been given one of 11 central England contracts this summer.

Stewart, who has 115 Test caps and holds the England record for one-day international appearances, had surgery on his troublesome elbows late last year.

"I still believe I am good enough to play for England but the people who will decide on that will be the selectors," he said. "I would like to play both styles of cricket, either as a batsman or a wicket-keeper batsman.

"It's always been a huge honour to play for my country and that has not changed at all. The record is pretty impressive and the selectors have seen what I can do. They have seen that for the last 12 years."

"For me age doesn't come into it," he added. "If you are good enough you get picked.

"In a way the six months I have had away from the game may have done me some good as it's the first winter I have had off in 20 years."

Of James Foster Stewart said: "He improved as he went on but it is a big learning curve for him. It's a big jump from university and county cricket to international cricket.

"He played some important innings and the more you play the better you get. As for his glovework I will leave that to others. James Foster is in possession of the gloves and when I was in possession I knew there were 18 other keepers trying to get my place and he will know it's the same in his position."

Surrey coach Keith Medlycott said of Stewart: "He has never wavered in 20 years as a professional sportsman. He has returned looking in great shape and his performance levels in our opening matches have been outstanding."

© CricInfo Ltd.