Mahmood eyes England recall

Sajid Mahmood claims being dropped by England was a blessing in disguise - but he is adamant his time out of the side is about to come to an end.

The Lancashire pace bowler has not featured in Test cricket since the final Ashes Test in Australia last January, while his most recent one-day outing came during the ill-fated World Cup campaign almost a year ago.

"It's the first winter I've had here in five years, and to look back and reflect on things - think about what I need to do to get back into that (England) side - has been pretty healthy for me," Mahmood told the ECB's official website. "I'm pretty confident in my ability and I know I'll get back into that England side."

Mahmood also claims he is in much better shape mentally now, having admitted he was not ready to take the step up to the highest level when he went for 56 off seven overs on his ODI debut against New Zealand at the age of 22.

"I'm pretty confident and relaxed in the direction I need to be going, and where I want to get to," he added.

"Sometimes you can get in there and think it's easy, and it's not, so you're not prepared for it.

"My career has been a bit up and down but I'm 26 now, I know my game a lot better and I'm a lot more mentally prepared for what I need to do at international level.

"I know what my job is and I don't think I've felt this good in my career."