Marcus Trescothick says he is "getting closer" to making himself available for England again - but will still not rush back into international cricket.
Marcus Trescothick is playing a full season for Somerset
The Somerset opener has not played for England since leaving the Ashes tour of Australia last November due to stress.
He told the Mail on Sunday: "Of course I'd love to play for England again and watching them this summer has sometimes been painful for me.
"I have made strides since the start of the season but I'm not ready yet."
Trescothick has hit two centuries and two fifties in the County Championship this season, and is in far better form than Andrew Strauss.
His England colleague is hanging onto a Test berth but has been dropped from the one-day squad.
But Trescothick knows that any commitment to England will mean he has to face the prospect of overseas tours again.
He pulled out of both the Australia tour last winter and the India trip in early 2006, and said: "Clearly, if I want to continue my career I have to undertake another tour.
"But for now, if and when I get back to full fitness and I think I am OK and ready to play, I'll make myself available for England.
"If they don't pick me, that's just tough."