PAUL Collingwood today cast doubt on his return to action for Durham in Thursday’s opening Twenty20 Cup game at home to Warwickshire.

“That has always been the target since my operation,” he said. “But in practice in the last couple of days the knee has felt a bit more raw than I would have wanted.

“It’s fine doing rehabilitation in a controlled environment and running in straight lines, but it’s different when you’re chasing the ball and reacting to things.

“I have bowled a few spells in the nets and the rest of the body is feeling it after not playing for two months.

“I hope the stiffness goes tomorrow because I want to feel 100 per cent right. I don’t want to come in under-cooked, knowing there’s a lot diving around to do. It’s taken a lot of effort to strengthen the knee back up and I don’t want any setbacks.”

Collingwood, who was 35 last week, underwent a micro-fracture operation after the World Cup and added: “Michael Vaughan had something similar and it was pretty horrific for him. I haven’t had anything like the amount of pain he had.

“I’ve had a long break and mentally it has done me a world of good. It helps to take the negatives out of your mind. I feel revitalised and the enthusiasm is right there to get back into it. I’m excited about it and I’m very keen to get back into the sort of form I know I’m capable of.”

Collingwood played in two T20 games and one championship match for Durham last season and the previous year one T20 game was all his England commitments would permit.

“When you come back in for one-off games it’s very difficult for both parties,” he said. “You can’t make an impact in the dressing room in those situations, but now I hope to be able to do that and to contribute in every game. I’m very much focused on doing well for Durham.”

The second day of the clash between the top two in the LV County Championship was delayed by rain at Chester-le-Street today. It was hoped to play after an early lunch, with Durham beginning their reply to Lancashire’s 313 all out.