LONDON, May 9: Darren Gough conceded defeat Wednesday in his battle to return to England action next week against Sri Lanka in the first Test at Lord’s.

Gough, 31, has been out of senior action since sustaining a knee injury against New Zealand in England’s final One-day International in New Zealand back in February.

He began his return to match fitness Thursday by turning out for Yorkshire against Derbyshire in a 2nd X1 fixture and admitted the Lord’s Test had probably come too early in his rehabilitation programme.

“I think I’ll be fit for it but I don’t think it would be sensible for me to play in it,” Gough told Sky Sports.

“I’ll have to turn up at Lord’s on Monday because I am one of the 11 centrally-contracted players but I guess England would then release me for a county match.”

Gough hopes to play in Yorkshire’s National League limited-overs match against Somerset at Taunton this Sunday.

Then on Wednesday the county champions continue the defence of their title against Kent at Canterbury.

England’s selectors are due to name their squad for next Thursday’s Test on Saturday.

If Gough is omitted Surrey fast-bowler Alex Tudor, who impressed during the England Academy’s winter programme in Australia, could be recalled.

Gough, who recently announced the break-up of his marriage, is, when fit, the spearhead of England’s attack. In 56 Tests he has taken 228 wickets at an average of 27.57.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka will definitely be without off-spinner Muttuah Muralitharan, who is nursing a shoulder injury, for the first two Tests.

With Muralitharan out of action, the responsibility for leading the attack falls on the shoulders of left-arm fast bowler Chaminda Vaas.

He is likely to take the new ball with fellow lefty Nuwan Zoysa and they could be joined by Ruchira Perera for that rarest of sights in Test cricket — an all southpaw pace attack.—AFP