'I have had a few setbacks and I am really frustrated'

Kevin Pietersen, who underwent surgery to cure a long-standing tendon problem, has refused to be ruled out of the winter tour to South Africa, despite fears over his Achilles injury.

The star batsman has not featured for England since the second Ashes Test.

His rehabilitation has since been delayed, with the scar becoming infected during the healing process.

Pietersen does not yet know if he will be ready for the trip to South Africa, which includes two Twenty20s, five ODIs and four Tests, but is hopeful of making the cut, The Sun reports.

"I am trying to get as fit as possible as quick as I can. I have had a few setbacks and I am really frustrated. It will be a couple of weeks before it totally heals over — the next 10 to 14 days — then I can start working really hard," he said.

"The timescale is difficult but I will definitely be doing everything I can to get on that first plane to South Africa, which is at the end of October. I might be a few days off that but I will certainly be in the Test squad. The one-dayers I am really pushing for but the Twenty20s might be a rush.

"For obvious reasons, it is a very important trip for me. For the team as well after the Ashes to take the momentum forwards. We want to have our best team out there," Pietersen added.

Pietersen becomes new Brylcreem Boy

Meanwhile, Pietersen has inked a nearly 2-million-pound deal with Brylcreem.

The 29-year-old will be seen endorsing the hair dressing cream in newspapers, magazine and Internet advertisements.

"It's a real honour to be asked to be the next Brylcreem Boy – just look at the roll-call of names," the Daily Express quoted Pietersen as saying.

"Those are pretty big shoes to fill, but I'm eager to bring my own individual style and personality to the table," he added.

Brylcreem said Pietersen was chosen for his "sporting brilliance, quintessential creative style and confident swagger on and off the pitch".