SALTIRES star Matty Parker could return to action early in the New Year.

The Forfarshire fast bowler has been sidelined since June after undergoing career-saving hip surgery.

However, the 21 year-old has completed his rehab and has returned to training with his Saltires team-mates.

Now the national selectors must decide if he will be fit for a competitive comeback in Scotland's I-Cup clash with UAE in February.

Coach Pete Steindl said: 'We have full availability for selection both for the I-Cup match and our 50-over and T20 commitments in March.

'That means Matty will be considered but he has a few key milestones to overcome to ensure that he is match fit.

'We value his contribution to the team but we will continue to assess his condition because we cannot afford to rush him back after a major operation.'

Parker's injury not only cut short his season with the Saltires but also put on hold his county ambitions after Leicestershire and Sussex showed an interest in the former Arbroath player.

If he fails to make the I-Cup match in Sharjah, Parker could still be considered for two one-day matches against UAE on March 8 and 10 and the T20 World Cup qualifiers later that month.