Veteran paceman Gough, opted out of the one-day series in Pakistan and was consequently not selected for the one-dayers in India where England's poor limited-overs form away from home continued with a seven-wicket reverse in Indore on Saturday sealing a 5-1 defeat in the seven-match contest.

And that run of defeats has led Gough, who gained new-found fame while the team were in the sub-continent by winning a celebrity dancing competition on BBC TV, hope that he can add to his tally of 235 one-day international wickets.

"I am hoping to stay fit and get back into the England one-day set-up," said the 35-year-old former Yorkshire bowler, who is set to play his 18th season of first-class cricket.

"I think I can do a good job for England and it is important that I start the season well, especially in one-day cricket.

"Bowling in international one-day cricket is a hard job and throughout my career I have got a record which compares with anybody in the world.

"I believe I am good enough and there are lots of players out in India who believe I should be in the squad.

"There is no reason why I cannot be playing well when the World Cup comes around."

Gough is contracted to Essex until September but he already has

the offer of a new deal and he believes that will give him the incentive and opportunity to clinch a place in England's squad which heads to the West Indies early next year.

"The World Cup is in January and February next year so I think I can make that," he told the England and Wales Cricket Board's website, www.ecb.co.uk. "There is plenty left in me -- I am only 35 years old and there is even talk of me playing another three years."