Kevin Pietersen is well aware there are still plenty more potential pitfalls on his proposed pathway back into Test cricket.

Barriers to his England recall remain many - not least that the record-breaking batsman, who will be 35 by the time this summer's Ashes begin, must demonstrate a return to his best form and fitness.

After Surrey confirmed on Wednesday they have signed him to play in the LV= County Championship, Pietersen has perhaps secured his passport to reconsideration by England.

Even that is not assured - given the mixed messages emanating from the England and Wales Cricket Board.

But if he is to put the onus back on England's selectors, the only currency is runs - and albeit in the second tier of domestic cricket, Pietersen knows they will have to be hard-earned in early-season conditions.

It is not long ago, in another context, that he described the lesser lights of the county circuit as "muppets" ... yet he may find some of them preparing an ambush for him in April and May.

"A lot of people thought I would not be prepared to put in the hard yards and play county cricket - but I will do anything to get that England cap back on my head," he said in his Daily Telegraph column.

"I am not going to disrespect county cricket by expecting to score runs with ease.

"Quite the opposite. It will take hard work, lots of it, but I have the hunger.

"I might not play well enough to get back in, and injuries could strike ... but at the end of the day, I want to give this a go because I am desperate to play for England again."

ECB managing director Paul Downton described the controversial Pietersen as "disengaged" in his final Test to date - England's heavy defeat in Sydney to complete their Ashes whitewash almost 15 months ago, weeks before the mercurial batsman was sacked by the ECB.

Downton has since been steadfast in his appraisal that Pietersen will not be back - as have national selector James Whitaker and coach Peter Moores, while Test captain Alastair Cook rates the prospect "highly unlikely".

Incoming chairman Colin Graves is soon to be the most powerful voice of all at the governing body, though, and his indication this month that a return could yet be possible - via county cricket - is the potential game-changer.

Pietersen extricated himself from the majority of his Indian Premier League contract thanks to an amenable reaction from Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Surrey signed him up once his immediate availability was assured.

He knows exactly what he must do, to navigate the next hoop of re-qualification.

"All I am looking for is a fair opportunity to play for England again.

"I just want a blank sheet of paper, and to be judged on merit."

After two telephone conversations with Graves, he will soon speak to the new chairman "face to face".

"I think he is open to discussing drawing a line in the sand in terms of what's gone on.

"Even if this does not work out and I do not get back in the England team, I will at least end my career knowing I gave it another shot.

"I would kick myself for a long time if I walked away now, without having a go."

Pietersen is confident he can work again for Cook and Moores, despite some unpromising shared history with both.

In the meantime, he will donate his Surrey wages to his own charitable foundation.