Jonny Bairstow will return from injury for Yorkshire’s second XI against Nottinghamshire next week, keeping wicket for a portion of the game.

The England batsman, 33, has been sidelined with a broken leg since September.

In his absence, Harry Brook has been in excellent form for England, so keeping wicket may be his best route back into the team.

“We’ll go have a look at him and see how he goes,” Yorkshire coach Ottis Gibson said.

“Because he’s been out for so long, it’s a fitness test for him to see what his capacity is and what he can do on the field, such as running around in the outfield or standing behind the stumps.”

“He’ll most likely try both to see which one he prefers.”

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Yorkshire director of cricket Darren Gough stated last month that Bairstow has expressed a desire to keep wicket when he returns.

When asked about his impending return to play by BBC Sport last week, Bairstow said the desire to keep wicket was a “non-story.”

Bairstow has maintained wicket for England in 49 of his 89 Tests, but not in the last 11 since 2021.

He also stated that he will be “absolutely” fit for England’s one-off Test against Ireland in June, followed by the Ashes series against Australia later that month.

Bairstow had been in excellent form prior to his injury, which occurred when he slipped on a golf course, having amassed 1,061 Test runs in 2022, including six centuries.

Yorkshire teammate Brook has since reclaimed his spot in the side with some great innings of his own, suggesting that deposing current first-choice wicketkeeper Ben Foakes may be Bairstow’s best chance of regaining his place.