Symonds closes in on return

Andrew Symonds will make his comeback in Brisbane grade cricket this weekend

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Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds will begin his comeback from knee surgery on Saturday when he plays for the Gold Coast Dolphins in Brisbane grade cricket.

Symonds will return to Queensland training tomorrow and could be in line for a recall to the Bulls line-up for next week's Sheffield Shield match against the Warriors.

The 33-year-old, who developed the pain during the first Test against South Africa in Perth, opted to undergo surgery on his knee to determine if there were any major problems.

He went on to play the Boxing Day Test, but had the operation immediately after and missed the final Test in Sydney.

Symonds started running last week under the guidance of Cricket Australia performance staff and could make a return to the national team for the one-day series against New Zealand, which begins on February 1.