Hurling legend Henry Shefflin admits he doesn't know when he will be able to resume playing.

Shefflin, who has been out of action since undergoing shoulder surgery over six months ago, won't be part of the Kilkenny squad for Sunday's Allianz Hurling League final against Cork and, contrary to reports, isn't expected to play for his club Ballyhale Shamrocks in a charity game against Antrim in Kilmacow on Saturday evening.

His target is to be fit for Kilkenny's Leinster SHC semi-final against Dublin/Laois/Carlow on June 23, but he can't say for certain if he will be available for that clash. If he misses out, it will be the first time he hasn't started a championship game for the Cats since 1999.

"I am not going to go back playing unless I am right. I don't think I could face another long lay-off if I got injured again," the eight-time All-Ireland winner is quoted as saying in the Irish Independent.

"I don't know when I might be able to return. I haven't done enough work to know. When I take a few knocks in training, I will have a better idea. I need heavier work. I need contact and matches. I am not getting as much as I would like. I have done all the strength building and conditioning work in the gym and so on."

He continued: "I need match practice now. I am getting closer, but I would want to be at this stage. The year is getting on. It is May. If I got a couple of weeks of good training and felt good, I would definitely be in with a chance (of playing in the Leinster semi-final)." Tweet

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