England bowler Stuart Broad has revealed that he is excited by the prospect of turning out for Nottinghamshire in the County Championship in the near future.

The 26-year-old has been pencilled in to turn out against Derbyshire later this month following his recovery from a heel injury.

Looking ahead to that encounter, Broad believes that it will provide him with the perfect opportunity to sharpen up ahead of England's Test series against New Zealand and the Ashes.

"I haven't played a lot of county cricket for the last couple of years but I'm really looking forward to getting in shape for what is a really big eight months ahead of us," he told Sky Sports News.

"I've had two weeks off the feet and now it's a real intense lift for the county season, a few games for Notts and then hopefully into the international summer. I start at Derbyshire in about 10 days' time and I'm really looking forward to helping Notts get off to a good start.

"April has been good to use as a bit of a fitness month before the season gets into full swing."

Broad joined Notts from Leicestershire in 2008.