STEPHEN HARMISON last night welcomed Darren Gough's return to form and fitness as he vowed to form a devastating England pace attack with the Yorkshire talisman.

Gough celebrated his recovery from the long-standing knee injury that ruined his 2002 by taking three wickets against Northamptonshire yesterday.

Harmison, 24, is desperate to bowl alongside Gough as he looks to continue his Test career by figuring against Zimbabwe in a series that begins at Lord's on May 22.

He said: "It's great to see Darren Gough back. English cricket needs Darren Gough, simple as that.

"Australia need Glenn McGrath and we need Darren because he's one of our best players.

"We've got some good quick bowlers but we've all got to fight for places to play with Darren and Andy Caddick.

"Andy has been great as a person and player to bowl with. But he would be a better bowler if Darren came back, just as Darren would be better with Andy bowling at the other end.

"They compliment each other very well, and if we get them back this could be a very good season for England."

Harmison insists he merits a place in the England side that takes on Zimbabwe next month after a gutsy effort in the Ashes series.

With Simon Jones set to miss most of the season, the Ashington Express is England's premier out-and-out pace bowler ahead of a heavy summer schedule.

He said: "I've got a place in the Test side from the winter and it would be a big blow if I didn't play in the first Test.

"I believe I'm one of the best bowlers in England and I believe I should be in the Test side; I believe in my own ability and I back my own ability.

"This is a very big year for me but it's not the be-all and end-all of making me as an England player.

"For England to go forward as a Test nation, they need to pick the best 11 players.

"If that 11 includes Steve Harmison, then great; if it doesn't include me, I'd go back to Durham and work hard."

Harmison will begin to compile a case for his inclusion in the England team when Durham open their County Championship campaign at Somerset on Wednesday.

After last season's last-place finish in the four-day competition, he is predicting a brighter 2003 for the county.

Harmison added: "It's not started that well because Paul Collingwood is injured and Mark Davies missed the game at Lancashire on Wednesday.

"It's frustrating because that was the story of last season, but some very good young players came in last season.

"Gordon Muchall, Gary Pratt, Mark Davies and Graeme Bridge all did well for us, but at the start of the season we probably didn't expect them to play.

"We want to get people fighting for places and there will be some upset people when the team is picked next week.

"If our young players can do well, Durham could be going places in the next two or three years."