AUSTRALIAN all-rounder James Faulkner says he has put a possible Ashes call-up to the back of his mind as he prepares to make his Lancashire debut.

Faulkner plays in tonight’s televised Twenty20 clash with Derbyshire at the County ground before facing his good mate Kevin Pietersen in Sunday’s LV= County Championship match against Surrey at the Oval.

The 25-year-old, a versatile left-arm seam bowler and a powerful lower order batsman, has been a victim of his own success in limited overs cricket, meaning he has played little first-class cricket of late and has been unable to push his Test claims.

He has one Test cap to his name, against England at the Oval in 2013, with his last first-class appearance coming for Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield in early December.

But he will no doubt be in the selectors’ thoughts for this summer’s Ashes series should any injuries occur in the Aussie camp.

“I’ve sort of forgotten about whether I’m going to be picked for the Ashes,” he said. “For me, it is purely about getting runs and wickets for Lancashire, just like it is when I play for Tasmania.

“I haven't had the opportunity to do that and press my claim for a place in the Test side. People have leapfrogged me. This is now a chance for me to play red ball cricket.

“Playing county cricket is always something I wanted to do. To have the opportunity after the IPL is something I’ve been looking forward to.

“Test cricket is the pinnacle for me, but I haven't had much opportunity over the last few years.

“I’ve probably only played three of four games, and it is hard to get some consistency doing that.

“I’ve been asked every year to come and play county cricket, but I think it has worked out well for me coming to Lancashire.”

Faulkner arrived in England last Friday, and has since rested up after a hectic few months including an IPL stint with Rajasthan and claiming the man-of-the-match award in the World Cup final win over New Zealand in late March.

He spent a couple of days at Southport earlier this week training with his new team-mates and watching their Championship win over Derbyshire.

“Even though I wasn't playing, it was good getting to know the lads, to be around the group and understand how they operate,” he added.