England batsman Kevin Pietersen insists he is desperate to get back into action after falling out of love with cricket before being sidelined by an Achilles injury during the Ashes series.

Pietersen has endured a traumatic year during which he lost the England captaincy after falling out with then coach Peter Moores, before his Ashes campaign was cut short after just two Tests by the Achilles problem.

The flamboyant stroke-maker had surgery in July and had to watch from the sidelines as England regained the Ashes. But Pietersen believes the time out of the game since has allowed him to rediscover his enthusiasm for the sport.

He will make his return to the team against his country of birth when England head off to South Africa next week.

"This year has been one of the toughest of my career, with the captaincy debacle in January plus the injury," Pietersen told ‘The Times’.

"This break has refreshed my head and who knows how I'll come back as a player. My Achilles won't hamper me any more and I definitely feel fresh mentally. I'll be starting off really enjoying myself - and this year I haven't particularly enjoyed playing cricket because I was in pain and because of what happened in January. It's been a tough thing for me. I believe everything happens for a reason and these three months have happened to refresh me and knowing that I was sort of falling out of love with the game, it was a symbol or a sign for me to refresh and recharge my batteries."