England pace bowler Stuart Broad has admitted that he will have to "manage" his long-standing heel injury if he is to continue playing at the top level.
The 26-year-old has not played an international match since November but ahead of his expected return against New Zealand in the opening Twenty20 match on Saturday, Broad has revealed that he will need to play through the pain barrier to continue his international career.
Broad told reporters: "It is going to be a long-term thing. It is a laceration of the fat pad so is not going to go away overnight. It is something I need to manage. It has been good these couple of weeks, I have found good ways to look after it.
"If I did pretty much anything else in the world but bowl seam it would not be a problem, I don't feel it walking or running or batting - it is just fast bowling.
"I do not get too down about it. It is something I have to manage. We have a great management team on the physical side."
Broad took a hat-trick against a New Zealand XI earlier this week.
Darren Plant
