JASON Gillespie has arrived at Rishton and today fired a warning to Lancashire League batsmen: "I'm getting back to full pace."

The Australian speed merchant missed the first three games of the season to work on strengthening his injured leg.

But the delay has worked wonders and he's raring to go.

He said: "I needed that extra week so that the leg could get strong.

"It's been hard because I haven't really had a chance to bowl off a long run because it's now footy season in Australia and the South Australia indoor centre has been closed to repair work.

"But I have had a couple of bowls and it's going really well. I'm getting there."

Gillespie expects to be flat out in a couple of weeks, when the league's wickets have hardened and his leg has fully healed. The injury occured during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Candy last September.

He was running in from deep for a catch while Steve Waugh was chasing back.

The two collided, Waugh breaking his nose but Gillespie fracturing his shin.

A metal rod was inserted back in Australia and the bone has knitted together well.

But that rod was taken out on March 23, causing the delay to his first season in the league with Rishton.

Gillespie added: "I was a bit worried I was letting people down here.

"The weights and fitness work seems to have helped make the muscles around the knee stronger."

Gillespie's debut is at Haslingden tomorrow and, in his home bow on Sunday, he comes up against fellow Aussie international star Adam Dale when Bacup visit Blackburn Road.