Chris Woakes has targeted a return to the England squad following an impressive winter playing for the Lions in Sri Lanka.
The 25-year-old made his Test debut against Australia last summer before making a case for future inclusion in the team by starring with both bat and ball as he captained the Lions to a 1-0 series victory on their tour.
"It wasn't an easy place to go - Sri Lanka were a tough outfit and the boys played really well and for us to win and for me to do well personally in the sub-continent was a bonus. I feel like my game went from strength to strength," Woakes told Sky Sports News.
"There's potentially a few places up for grabs in the England side so the first five-six weeks of the season are going to be pretty interesting.
"If I perform well and am in the selectors' mind come the first squad selection it would be nice. County cricket is going to be really strong, full of international players so I'm excited and hopefully I can start well."
Woakes begins his County Championship campaign with Warwickshire against Sussex on Sunday.