Morden pace bowler Neil Saker has revealed he turned down an option to spend this season on-loan at Derbyshire in favour of fighting for his place at Surrey.
The 23-year-old claimed the first five-wicket haul of his career against Lancashire last season, and will be vying with England prospect Chris Jordan, Matt Nicholson, Jimmy Ormond, Pedro Collins and Jade Dernbach for a place in the Brit Oval seam attack.
The former Raynes Park High School student took 15 wickets in seven LV County Championship Division One starts, but faded late in the season and was eclipsed by the efforts of 19-year-old speedster Jordan.
Former England U19 captain Rory Hamilton-Brown quit the club in the summer to join champions Sussex in search of regular first-team cricket.
But Saker, who could have joined up with former team-mates Rikki Clarke and Nyan Doshi at Derbyshire, is adamant he can break into the Surrey line-up.
"It is always tough for youngsters at this club to break through, but I see that as a challenge. If you can break into this side and maintain your place, you are a pretty decent cricketer," he said.
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"It is easy to get disheartened, but I like to have my mind set on something and go for it.
"I have had knock-backs, but I want to play for this club.
"I was very close to going to Derby and there were a couple of other options, but I decided wanted to play for this club.
"I didn't put all the hard work in over the winter to play somewhere else."
Saker, who is in the final year of his contract, has spent his first winter at home for the first time in five years in a bid to get stronger after failing to cope with the physical demands of first-class cricket last season.
The Surrey Academy graduate plays for Surrey Championship side Reigate Priory when not on county duty, and is hoping the hard work will mean an end to club cricket action.
"Before I played first-class cricket, I thought it was more aerobic fitness that I needed, but I have learned it is as much strength as anything else," he added.
"I see myself as a championship player.
"That is my strength. I want to play as much as I can and that means being in the first team."
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