Mark Wood is targeting a summer return to bowling for England, following his "mega frustrating" injury lay-off.

The pace bowler is stepping up his recovery from a knee problem that saw him bowl just 11 overs during England's first Ashes Test against Australia, before he was ruled out for the remainder of the series.

Wood, who underwent surgery on his left knee in March 2025, had previously been absent for 15 months with an elbow injury, and recently conceded he was thinking about life after cricket.

Though the 36-year-old is not rushing his rehabilitation, he hopes he can be available for England's first Test against New Zealand, which starts on June 4.

"I need to take it slow," Wood told the BBC's Strategic Timeout programme.

Eccy doing what she does best!

Just over a week to go until we kick off our ODI series vs the White Ferns!pic.twitter.com/r8D9UQnZDS

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) May 1, 2026

"Realistically, I've got maybe one more chance at doing this right. If I rush it back, then it's not good, that could be it. I'm still trying to get back to bowling, hopefully later on in the summer.

"You've got to keep your eye on the prize, which, ultimately, for me, is trying to get to playing for England. That's my focus.

"It's mega frustrating. It's been a long time, over a year, since I had the initial surgery. To build it back up for seven months to play one game, and then be out again, takes its toll.

"With the age I'm at, I don't want to miss games. You want to be involved. I was bowling quickly and well before this injury started, and I haven't been able to get back to that level."