Dale Steyn has ruled himself out of next year’s IPL as he targets a return to the Proteas side for their tour to England.

The speedster, who needs just five more wickets to surpass Shaun Pollock as South Africa’s highest wicket-taker, broke a bone in his shoulder during the first Test against Australia in Perth.

Steyn revealed last week that he’s aiming to be back in training by February, but will take it slowly as he looks to avoid doing any further damage.

‘The first two to three months is just the healing phase so by the end of February I will start to be able to do things like light bowling, start swimming and all that kind of stuff,’ Steyn told ESPN Cricinfo.

The 33-year-old was ruled out for six months when he suffered the injury, which means he’ll miss the Sri Lanka series and the tour to New Zealand in February and March.

The Proteas are scheduled to play three ODIs in England before the Champions Trophy takes place between 1-18 June. That’s the realistic target for Steyn, who has decided to opt out of aiming for the IPL with the Gujarat Lions, which runs from 5 April to 21 May.

‘June is realistic for South Africa,’ said Steyn.

‘I haven’t had a long break like this in a good few years and every season I go into it with something wrong, whether it be a little hammie or whatever.

‘It will be nice to go into a season, starting in June, and confidently know that I am really strong and in a good place.’

The English tour then continues with three T20s and four Tests, ending in August.

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