DURHAM’S England Lions paceman Mark Wood hopes to be back in action by the end of the week after a frustrating winter.

He has had an injection in his side and will play for the second team against a Triallist X1 at Chester-le-Street on Thursday then against Durham University the following day.

“I can’t wait to get going again,” he said. “I need to get some overs in before the first championship match at Northampton on Sunday. I want my name to be in the hat for that.”

A side strain ruled Wood out of the final month last season then after being named in the England Performance Squad he was sent to Loughborough for fitness work.

“It was really intensive, working on stamina and strength three times a day,” he said. “I felt stronger and fitter than I’ve ever been. It was a really proud moment to go to Sri Lanka with England Lions and after starting so well I was on cloud nine.

“But then when I had to come home I went from one end of the scale to the other. I was gutted. The selectors are interested in me because of my pace, but every time I try to ramp it up I struggle.

“Every time I pull my left side down a rib is impinging on scar tissue from my previous injury, so hopefully the injection will sort that out.

“I can bowl at 50-60 per cent but I need to have the confidence to bowl flat out.”

The man who took Wood’s place in Sri Lanka, Graham Onions, has signed a new twoyear contract extension with Durham, committing himself until the end of the 2017 season.

Onions, 31, the leading wicket taker in the county championship last season with 70, said: “I’m delighted to have signed for another two years.

“Last season was magnificent and to play a part in such an amazing team effort is something that will stay with me for a long time.

“I still get an enormous sense of pride playing for my county and with the crop of young players coming through I’m confident we can have lots more success. These are exciting times at Durham, and it’s great to be a part of it all.”

Coach Jon Lewis added: “Graham’s bowling record speaks for itself, but he is also a key figure in the dressing room and the example he sets the younger bowlers in particular is invaluable. To have someone of Graham’s stature in our squad for the next few seasons will be a massive asset.”

No play was possible on the first day of the three-day match against Durham University, but with an improved forecast play is expected to get underway at 11am today.