England fast bowler Darren Gough has signed a contract with his county side Yorkshire, but the injury-prone player will need to prove his fitness for the side to retain him for the entire season.

The 32-year-old paceman's future in first-class cricket appeared in jeopardy when he was forced to drop out of England's recent tour of Australia to undertake extensive treatment on a troublesome right knee.

But the county have been pleased with his recent progress and confirmed from its Headingly headquarters that Gough would be offered the contract that has a three-month trial period.

"This has all been settled since October," Gough said. "All it centred around was me being fit or showing signs of getting back to fitness.

"This does not mean that if I am not fit in three months that will be it. In that case I shall take another look then."

Gough is hopeful of a return to the England side this summer and after 15 weeks under the care of a physiotherapist and a coach, the player has been bowling off his full run in the indoor nets with no adverse reaction.

"I'm England's best bowler," he said.

"That's what keeps me going. If I didn't think I could get back in the England side I'd pack it in. I'm not setting myself any targets but I hope to be back in the Yorkshire side very soon."

Gough has taken 236 first-class wickets for Yorkshire, eight less than his total for England, but has played very little county cricket in the last few years.