London: England fast bowler Darren Gough has agreed a new contract at county side Yorkshire, the club revealed Monday. The 32-year-old had threatened to quit after his contract finished at the end of last season but finally agreed a new deal with chief executive Colin Graves. Gough had an injury-plagued year undergoing three operations on a troublesome knee that resulted in him being sent home from England's Ashes tour and missing out on the World Cup. But Yorkshire is confident that he can help them win promotion back to Division I of the County Championship after being relegated last summer. "Since returning from Australia injured Darren has worked extremely hard with the medical and coaching staff at Yorkshire to ensure that he can continue his playing career both at county and international level," read a club statement. "Darren is already engaged in the Yorkshire pre-season preparation schedule and if his fitness progress continues will be playing in Yorkshire's matches at the start of the season. "The details of the contract between Darren and Yorkshire will remain private. However, it can be clarified that it centres around Darren playing and coming through the first three months of the season fully fit and thereafter returning to normal contractual terms between the two parties." Gough said, "It does not mean that in three months if I am not fit that will be it. It is more a case of me taking a look at it then. "To be honest it has all been settled since October. All it has centred around is me being fit or showing signs of getting back to full fitness. Yorkshire has been loyal in that respect. "I'm not charging in bowling at 100mph but I am getting there." Yorkshire also confirmed that former captain Darren Lehmann of Australia will not be returning this season and they will be fielding one overseas player in his compatriot Matthew Elliott. Copyright AFP 2001

Tags: cricket, england fast bowler darren gough, yorkshire, yorkshire chief executive colin graves, darren lehmann, matthew elliott.