After making a speedy recovery from last month’s knee surgery, Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds is now looking forward for the next month tour of South Africa.

Commenting over Symonds fitness, team physio, Alex Kountouris said, “I would be disappointed if Andrew wasn't available to go to South Africa.”

“Things are progressing well. At this stage it's hard to say when Andrew will be back but I'd expect it to be somewhere between three to five weeks”, added Kountouris.

The 33 year old Aussie is expected to begin running this week. In order to clear loose fragments of cartilage from his right knee, Symonds had to undergone operation on the New Year’s Eve.

Australia tour of South Africa begins on February 16. Symonds could return within three months, which would make him available for game three of Australia’s one-day series with New Zealand on February 8 in Sydney.

The Australian team definitely needs Symo back in the team as Stuart Clark, Brett Lee and Shane Watson are all out of the team because of the injuries. Recently, opening batsman Matthew Hayden made his announcement of retirement from the game. Apart from this, Michael Clarke is also carrying a thumb problem. Therefore, Symo come-back will prove beneficial for the ‘struggling’ team.