John Hastings is relishing being able to bowl in a match situation for the first time in four months.
The Worcestershire 2017 overseas player says the target is to bowl around 25 overs in the three-day friendly with Leeds-Bradford MCCU at Weetwood which gets underway today (Friday).
If all goes to plan, the 31-year-old will then have the all clear for the opening Specsavers County Championship clash with Glamorgan at the SWALEC Stadium a week today.
Hastings last bowled a ball in anger for Victoria against Tasmania in early December in the match where he suffered his patella tendon injury.
The Australian all-rounder said: "I've been here just over two weeks now and everything has been moving towards that first game against Glamorgan.
"Everything has been smooth so far. I've done alot of training and played in the couple of practice games against Somerset and Gloucestershire.
"I will have my first bowl in a match at Leeds-Bradford for a little while so I'm looking forward to that."
Hastings, whose wife arrived in England this week, said: "I've got to get through around 25 overs this week in this game.
"Once I get through that, everything will be all clear and I'll be fit for that first Championship game.
"Hopefully everything goes well – and I'm assuming everything will."
