AZEEM Rafiq is confident a full winter's training at Headingley will enable him to contribute heavily to Yorkshire success next summer.

Off-spinner Rafiq encouraged while bowling and batting during the second half of the most recent campaign in both red and white-ball cricket.

He only returned to the county in June after nearly two years away from professional cricket.

The 25-year-old had been playing league cricket for Sheffield and Phoenix and also second XI cricket for Yorkshire and he has admitted to finding it "tough" getting to grips with the pace of county cricket again.

But having enjoyed a productive first two months of training this winter, he is already relishing the chance to make his mark in 2017.

Rafiq said: "Coming in last season, I hadn't had a pre-season and I wasn't as physically fit as I'd have liked. But it's difficult when you're out of the game. That was tough.

"Having been through a pre-season, getting in some of the stuff I've missed the last couple of years, I'm already in a better position now.

"The professional game is moving forwards rapidly and to get back in sync with that is vital. I'm really looking forward to next year."

Rafiq took 24 wickets and scored 242 runs from 23 appearances across all competitions from June onwards, including 15 wickets in the T20 Blast. He was also handed his county cap in August.

He reflected: "I was pretty pleased. You always want to make a difference to a winning team and I think I contributed when I got the opportunity.

"I mentioned it when I came back to the club, that enjoyment is key for me now. When you go through what I went through and spent time out of the game, you get that sense of perspective. It's just a game.

"I'm in a privileged position to be playing for this great club. Not many get that opportunity. It's been a bit of whirlwind but I want to keep doing everything I can to contribute to a winning side."

Shortly after re-signing for Yorkshire, the Barnsley-based player hailed Andrew Gale's influence on his return to the professional game. Now Gale has switched from captain to coach – and Rafiq is delighted.

He said: "It's exciting. The whole squad are really raring to go now. I don't think anything changes in terms of what we want to achieve as a group.

"Coming in last year, I noticed straight away that it's a very special group of players and a very special dressing room. To ensure that continues with Galey's appointment is excellent work from the club.

"Galey, over seven years, has been brilliant for everyone as captain. He's given lads responsibility and backed them to perform under pressure. As I said, he was a massive influence on me coming back last year.

"He was one of the best captains this club has ever had and I think I speak for the whole dressing room – there's massive respect there. He was a great leader as a captain and I'm sure he will continue that as coach."