Jamie Porter will make his second trip of the winter to the Desert Springs Resort this weekend keen to make up for lost time with the Lions.

The Essex seamer, who was the leading wicket-taker in the County Championship last season (75) as Essex won the title, had been due to travel to Australia with the Lions before Christmas.

But he was withdrawn due to a stress fracture in his lower back, instead linking up with his Essex team-mate Paul Walter on the Pace Programme.

That meant making a trip to Desert Springs with the Programme in December.

Now Porter is relishing the prospect of returning, this time with the Lions – for a four-day training camp to conclude their preparations for a six-week trip to the West Indies.

“I had my final scan results back on Friday and it’s all clear,” said the 24-year-old.

“So I’m back bowling at full whack, and I feel good – and I do want to hit the ground running.

“Going out to Desert Springs before Christmas was just at the right time for me. It got me outside bowling on decent wickets, getting off a full run-up. Doing a bit of fielding outdoors as well, and a bit of batting on wickets, so it was definitely exactly what I needed at the time. I’m looking forward to getting out there next week and bowling at batters outdoors - that will be the perfect place to get ready for the West Indies.”

The Lions fly to Desert Springs on Saturday, returning next Thursday ahead of their trip to Jamaica on January 31.