Simon Jones could be fit for next year's Ashes series after Worcestershire said he will return to action for the start of the English cricket season in April.

The 29-year-old Jones was an integral part of the 2005 team that beat Australia 2-1 to win the Ashes for the first time in 18 years but has barely played since injuring his ankle in February 2006.

That was followed by a serious knee injury, which restricted his performances up until last season, although he did manage 42 wickets for about 18 runs each for Worcestershire and bowled faster than 90 mph, before a cartilage problem curtailed his season in August.

"We'll probably have to manage his situation carefully again but that is so he can still be playing until the end of the season," Steve Rhodes, Worcestershire's director of cricket, said.

That suggests Jones could take part in the five-match Ashes series, which starts on July 8 in Cardiff and concludes at the Oval in August.

"Believe it or not, he hasn't done any running yet and that is on purpose," Rhodes added. "He won't do any running until well into the new year — but he will still be fit. There are lots of other things that we have got Simon doing.

"We don't want him doing any of the pounding work yet as it might see him take a step backwards. That is something none of us want."

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