As he made plain before embarking on his ill-fated trip to Australia, Darren Gough has re-affirmed that he would like to play out the remainder of his career with Yorkshire, but has also not ruled out the possibility that he might yet move to another county. This is presuming that he is able to resume his career, having had three operations on his troublesome right knee in the course of the last year.

Gough feared that his last chance was to go to the United States to consult with a specialist there with a view to a fourth and final operation. However, he has been assured that the knee only requires further rehabilitation and not more surgery.

He is still waiting for a new contract from Yorkshire after the expiry of the previous one in the autumn. On his departure for Australia he scotched rumours that he might be offered a pay-as-he-plays arrangement, and has once again said that he would not consider such a deal.

"Basically a pay-as-you-play contract is stupid. I've had chats with Yorkshire and they want me to do a lot of things but at this moment in time I am a free agent - I have no county.

"I want to play for Yorkshire for the rest of my career but unfortunately I am out of contract at the minute and if someone nips in you can never say never."

With reference to his recent trans-Atlantic trip he said: "I went to the States to get an opinion. The good news was I didn't need the operation as my cartilage is still intact.

"One problem you have is you are always under pressure too soon. After each operation I've had, I've not done the right rehabilitation for long enough.

"I'm very hopeful. I wouldn't be doing all this if I wasn't. I'm insured and the easy way out at my age is to take the insurance and walk away. But I want to play."

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