NEIL SAKER believes he is close to full fitness after being told he would probably never bowl again before operations on both his knees last September.

Now the Reigate Priory player -hailed last week as the all rounder every side is searching for - is planning to turn out for a Minor Counties XI today (Thursday) as a trial for the Unicorns.

The opening batsman endured a winter of rehabilitation, aided by close family, and returned to play alongside his "friends".

"I'm very fortunate to be playing cricket," said the ex-Surrey man who has only been bowling properly for three weeks.

"After my first scan I was told I would never bowl again," he said. "I thought I'd have to bite the bullet and find something else to do, but I've worked really hard over the winter after fantastic advice from a couple of people."

His sister Laura is in charge of rehabilitation at London Wasps, where her boyfriend Jamie Sawyer has also worked. "I can't thank them enough," said Saker. "To have [a physio] so close to me that cares, it makes a difference.

"I went to Reading last year but I missed playing for Reigate. I had lots of pain and discomfort and wasn't enjoying playing.

"They are a fantastic bunch, a good side and run professionally.

"I'm playing in a side with my friends and that's all I can ask. I'm just happy to be playing again."

Some "very talented young players" include Jason Roy, who is getting a chance in Surrey's Twenty20 side and who is on the lips of every youngster at Murtagh and Saker's coaching school, run at the Park Lane club.

"I'm so pleased for Jason Roy," said Saker. "He's come in for a bit of criticism in the way he plays, but he's a match winner.

"It's fantastic to have a young English player [for the youngsters to look up to] as opposed to Andrew Symonds or Younis Khan."

Saker recalls playing alongside Roy for Surrey seconds, when Roy scored 50 in 30 balls against a former international bowler and believes he will put "bums on seats" for years at the Oval.

Firstly, he is sure to draw crowds on Tuesday to Park Lane, for Reigate's third round Surrey Twenty20 game against Epsom.

Murtagh, who said Roy will be available, believes after a losing draw at Sunbury last weekend after defeat to Malden "now is no time to panic" in pursuit of the Surrey Championship Premier Division title and T20 glory.

Jamie Powell, skipper of surprise leaders and Saturday's visitors Ashtead, said: "At the start of the summer my money would have been on Reigate to win this league. From where we have come from as a club this is a really massive game for us, but we're quite relaxed because no one's expecting us to win the league, there's no pressure on us."

Murtagh said: "We've got two big games coming up and the boys are looking to get the season back on track. It should be a good game on Saturday. They've played well and their results reflect that.

"We didn't play good cricket on Saturday, but the pleasing thing was we were showing some fight.

"Although we haven't played well in the past couple of weeks we've shown a bit of character."

Excited by the T20 – Priory were national finalists last year – he added:. "We're very much looking forward to it. We pride ourselves on being a good Twenty20 side. Hopefully we will put on a good show." A barbecue will be laid on for a 6pm start.