Corbett will not be rushed back

Lar Corbett has played down the immediacy of his return to Tipperary colours, insisting that he needs to get fully fit before he can be considered for selection.

The former Hurler of the Year is set to train with the Tipp panel tonight ahead of their Munster SHC quarter-final clash with Limerick on Sunday week.

But given his lack of training and game-time since his shock decision to withdraw from the squad in February, Corbett's return to inter-county action is still some way off.

"I am realistic about how much work I have to do to get my fitness level up to what it should be to play for Tipperary this year," he told the Irish Examiner.

"And if I get into that position and I’m called on, I will do my living best. But we are talking months here, not weeks - that's the level hurling is at nowadays.

"But I am willing to do what is needed and just delighted to have the chance to come back in.

"In the meantime, I will be supporting those lads on the first team and in the squad in every way I can.

"It’s all about the Limerick game now, which will be a massive challenge as Limerick will rightly consider themselves as having a real chance of winning this."

If Declan Ryan's men clear the first hurdle in Munster, they will face Cork in a June 24 semi-final and Corbett could target that game - or the provincial decider on July 15 should they make it.

The 31-year-old thanked Ryan and his management team for 'keeping the door open for me' and admitted that he is 'delighted to be back'.

He added: "While I had to take time out for business reasons, I knew in the back of my mind that if I could get structures in place with the bar (in Thurles) and a few other things that I would immediately want to come back."

The two-time All-Star is confident that Tipp can put a forgettable Allianz League campaign behind them, especially with a number of key men coming back to full fitness.

"The good thing is that while the league may have been disappointing, there were a good few lads injured who are now getting closer to full fitness - the likes of (Patrick) ‘Bonner’ Maher, Seamus Callanan, Paul Curran and more - all of whom are great hurlers and have big roles to play.

"Once those lads are back to full fitness, Tipp will give anyone a run. Personally, I will have the head down over the coming weeks and months and if Tipp are still involved later in the year, we will see what happens then."