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Return looms closer for injured Lynn

Queenslander aiming to be fit for KKR's finals campaign and Australia's upcoming limited-overs tour of England

Chris Lynn will head to the nets tonight for his first bat since dislocating a shoulder diving in the field during the IPL in a boost for the Kolkata Knight Riders and Australia's Champions Trophy ambitions.

Lynn feared the worst when he popped out his left shoulder diving for a catch in the outfield against the Mumbai Indians on April 9 but has recovered sufficiently to be targeting a return to action ahead of the IPL finals.

He's hoping to return to action before the IPL playoffs, possibly as early as May 9 against Kings XI Punjab, or in the May 13 rematch with Mumbai at home before finals start.

"The shoulder is slowly getting there. I had a cortisone injection the other day and it worked really well," Lynn told cricket.com.au from Kolkata.

Lynn begins IPL campaign with a bang

With the left shoulder out of the joint "for about 30 seconds" after landing awkwardly from a full-stretch dive, Lynn popped it back in himself.

"I gave it a bit of a wriggle and it went back in," he said, far too nonchalant for the sort of pain he endured.

"Because I've had it a few times now I sort of knew what timeframe I was looking at to get back if there wasn't too much damage after a scan."

Those scans turned out better than expected, and Lynn made the decision to remain with Kolkata than return home. Between the Kolkata medical staff, and Queensland Bulls and Brisbane Heat strength and conditioning coach Paul Chapman, who is with the Mumbai Indians, Lynn has been working hard towards returning.

"We worked out whatever I could do back home, I can do where I am now in Kolkata," Lynn said.

"It only makes sense I'm here trying to get fit to play some cricket before heading over to England. There would be nothing worse than going in underprepared to a world tournament.

"I'm going to have my first bat and I'm feeling really confident it about it. The shoulder has come up really well. It's positive signs but I've still got a long way to go.

"I'd like to ideally play a game or two before the finals. It would be a bit unfair on the teammates to rock up into a final not having played a game (since the injury)."

Ponting discusses the 'next phase' of Lynn's development

His return would be a boost for Kolkata who have utilised West Indies spinner Sunil Narine as a makeshift opener with some success.

But after several shoulder issues in recent years, Lynn knows he will need extra caution in the field.

"I can't keep affording to have this time off when I'm hitting the ball so well, it's so frustrating," Lynn said.

"I think I might just have to be one of those fielders you hide in the field.  But as soon as I start costing the team runs in the field, that's when I've got to have a hard look at it.

"I think I can still contribute a fair amount with the bat and still be good enough in the ring in the field."

Watch all of Lynn's record-breaking sixes

Lynn smashed an unbeaten 93 in KKR's opening match and was striking the ball at 192 in two matches before getting injured.

With four matches remaining the Knight Riders are sitting second in a tight leader-board, targeting the double-chance a top two finish brings.

For Lynn, the eagerness to get out on the park is palpable.

"I was going really when I was playing, but it helps the boys are winning, that's got me through," he said.

"I can see a light at the end of the tunnel and hope to get back out there sooner rather than later."