Worcestershire 2017 overseas signing John Hastings says he is "extremely pleased" with the progress made in his recovery from patella tendon surgery as he strives to be fit and firing for the opening Specsavers County Championship match with Glamorgan.
The Australia all-rounder linked up with his new county nearly three and a half weeks before the April 14 clash at the SWALEC Stadium after flying in last Tuesday.
Hastings is completing his rehab work under the expert eye of County physio Ben Davies and strengthening and conditioning coach Ross Dewar.
But the 31-year-old has been delighted with the progress he has made so far after initial fears in December that he would be unavailable for the first half of the season.
Hastings said: "I'm extremely pleased. Everything has gone well with the rehab. Everything I've done is to try and make sure I'm here on time.
"I'm over here early, trying to prepare with the boys so I'm just giving myself and the team the best chance of me being fit for the whole summer.
"When they got in there and had a look (at the patella), it wasn't as bad as first thought.
"Like I said, everyone I've done for the last four months is to try and get me here on time and that's all gone to plan so far, touchwood.
"I'm not getting too carried away just yet. There is still two and a half weeks to the first game and hopefully I will get a good two and a half weeks of work under my belt and get used to the conditions and hit the ground running.
"Now I'm just looking forward to getting stuck in. I'm really excited to try and get out there for that University game (versus Leeds-Bradford) and round one of the Championship."
Hastings added: "The aim is to take some part in that University game, whether it be a few spells to try and get some match practice under my belt.
"I've been bowling a lot at home and feeling pretty good and hopefully I'll just build up for the next couple of weeks or so.
"I've got a programme in place. Ross and Ben have been really good and we'll take that on and just build towards that first game.
"That's what we are aiming for and hopefully the weather stays good and we can get outside and have a bit of a bowl and a bat."
*Read a full interview with John Hastings on the Worcestershire CCC website during the next few days.