AMY Winehouse sang they tried to make me go to rehab, but I said no, no, no' and that is the feeling Australian seamer Matt Mason has got should his shoulder break down again this year.

The Perth native is hoping to make his comeback for the New Road side within the next fortnight following two operations on his shoulder which have kept him out for the best part of 18 months.

But the 34-year-old won't make his return unless he is 100 per cent both physically and mentally.

Having been the mainstay of Worcestershire's attack, the Western Australian wants to make sure that when he returns the New Road faithful will see the Mason of old.

"I don't want to be going through all this rehab again," he said. "I don't want to rush myself, if I come back and get it wrong and my shoulder goes again then I'll be the first one to say it will be career-ending.

"I want to make sure it is right and when I play that I'm bowling as well as I can do."

The Aussie is having to reprogramme his brain to prevent it from protecting his shoulder and recently the 34-year-old has been working with England Lions bowling coach Kevin Shine. Shine has broken down Mason's action and the Aussie said that the Lions coach was not surprised that he picked up a side strain during the pre-season.

"I have not been happy with the way that I have been bowling. "I feel I'm a yard down in pace," the Aussie said.

"I did about four hours work with Kevin Shine last week and he says that sub-consciously I'm protecting myself in my action.

"The shoulder is fine physically, it is now trying to do the drill that Kevin has set me.

If I come back, get it wrong and my shoulder goes again then I'll be the first one to say it will be career-ending.

"I have only played two competetive matches in 18 months and it is like I have forgotten how to do it."

Mason was set to play a second XI match last week but, because he was unhappy with the way that he played in the previous game, the Aussie decided that he needed more work in the nets.

On the second day of the LVCC Division Two match against Leicestershire, Mason was the most active of all the players going to the nets four times. But, on the opening day when the sun was shining on New Road, he admits that he wanted to be out there.

"I have got quite a lot to do, but when the guys are out there playing I want to be with them," he added.