England spinner Graeme Swann has said that he is hopeful of being fit to face Australia in the Ashes series later this year.

The 34-year-old was forced to miss England's recent Test series in New Zealand after undergoing surgery on a long-standing elbow complaint.

There have been doubts cast over Swann's fitness, but the Nottinghamshire player has said that he expects to be available for the return series against the Kiwis in May.

"The stitches came out a couple of days ago so I've not done a great deal on it, but early signs are very good," Swann told Sky Sports News. "There's no infection in there which everyone was worried about for a while so it's all systems go.

"I've got probably six weeks hard work ahead of me to get back bowling first and foremost and then bowl well enough to get back in the England team.

"It's probably the biggest summer in 20 years to be honest. We've got the Ashes at home followed by the Ashes away - ten Test matches in a row that are going to define a few careers I think."

The first Ashes Test will take place at Trent Bridge on July 10.