England captain Heather Knight eager to see Sarah Taylor return to international cricket

England captain Heather Knight admits she is longing to see Sarah Taylor in the middle again.

Taylor was awarded an ECB central contract over the winter after embarking upon the journey to return to the international fold following a break from cricket due to anxiety.

England coach Mark Robinson confirmed last week that Taylor continues to make good progress as she works towards her goal of playing at this summer's Women's World Cup on home soil.

And skipper Knight insists England will remain patient in order to give the 2014 ICC Women's ODI Cricketer of the Year every opportunity to return back to her very best.

"We'd love to have Sarah back," Knight told Sky Sports at the Lycamobile British Ethnic Diversity Sports Awards.

"She is going well. She has integrated back into training and is doing a lot more but like a lot of things it is taking time.

"We know what sort of world-class player she is and what a massive influence she can be on our team but the most important thing is she gets in the right place for her.

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"It's been tough for her but we're massively supporting her and I look forward to the day hopefully when I'm watching her bat again because I absolutely love watching her bat."

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England travel to the United Arab Emirates for a training camp next month where they will also play three 50-over matches against an Ireland XI as they step up preparations for the World Cup in June and July.

Mark Robinson's 24-strong squad features 17 centrally-contracted players and seven members of England's senior academy setup.

England squad in full:

Heather Knight (Berkshire), Anya Shrubsole (Somerset), Tammy Beaumont (Kent), Katherine Brunt (Yorkshire), Kate Cross (Lancashire), Georgia Elwiss (Sussex), Tash Farrant (Kent), Jenny Gunn (Warwickshire), Alexandra Hartley (Lancashire), Danielle Hazell (Yorkshire), Amy Jones (Warwickshire), Beth Langston (Yorkshire), Laura Marsh (Kent), Natalie Sciver (Surrey), Fran Wilson (Middlesex), Lauren Winfield (Yorkshire), Danielle Wyatt (Sussex), Georgia Adams (Sussex), Hollie Armitage (Yorkshire), Alice Davidson-Richards (Kent), Sophie Ecclestone (Lancashire), Evelyn Jones (Lancashire), Emma Lamb (Lancashire), Linsey Smith (Berkshire).

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