SQUASH ace Simon Parke is relishing a return to Yorkshire after announcing his entry to the Prince English Open in Sheffield.

Parke, formerly of Knaresborough and Harrogate but now based in Nottingham, is currently ranked 12th in the world but is banking on breaking back into the top ten.

Parke, who will be 31 just three days before the start of event at the Crucible Theatre in August, is eyeing a return to the very top after ankle surgery meant an absence from the sport.

He said: "Having an enforced lay-off from the game simply accentuated my desire to return to the pinnacle of the sport.

"The Prince English Open title is certainly a stepping stone to that and one that I would like to add to my collection, which also includes the British Nationals and US Open."

It is two years since Parke's injury, but in the last six months he has risen back in to the top 16.

And as the Crucible is in his home county of Yorkshire he is looking to add the Open title to the Closed title he picked up in 1998.

Parke explained: "The location of this new event on the world tour will make it a very special one for all of us players that take great pride in our Yorkshire roots and I am sure that the crowds will help give us the edge in our matches."

The tournament runs from August 13-17.

Updated: 11:16 Friday, June 13, 2003