Notts spinner Graeme Swann says that he is bowling pain-free for the first time in four years after undergoing successful surgery to reshape his elbow joint.

Swann took 19 wickets in three Tests for England in the West Indies but could barely raise his arm after the series.

“I had a bit of a dodgy elbow which had been building for a couple of years and I went and had an operation which led to the removal of 29 loose bodies which justified the decision to get it done and to miss the one day series in the West Indies,” said Swann.

“I’d had that many injections and pills by the end of the Test series that it was time to get it fixed and I’m so happy that it’s been done and it doesn’t hurt anymore.

“I had a similar problem when I first came to Notts and had an operation to remove a couple of pieces of floating bone but with the amount of cricket that I’ve played over the last 18 months it just escalated to the point where the scans showed that I had to stop playing for a few weeks and get it sorted out.”

Swann took 32 First Class wickets at an average of 29.96 last season and is keen to contribute to a successful Notts campaign in 2009.

“I’m desperately trying to convince the physio and the coaches at Notts that I’m fit to play a part in the opening fixtures of the domestic season,” he said.

“Everything works properly again and I can’t wait to get started.”