Somerset paceman Mark Turner is only too well aware that 2009 is going to be a make or break season for him.

Turner, who played for England at Under-19 level in 2003-04, joined the county from his native Durham at the end of the 2006 and made his debut the following season.

But despite several impressive performances since then, he has failed to command a regular first-team place in any form of the game.

This season, however, Turner reckons he has his best chance yet to break into the Somerset side, and his winter experiences are certainly giving him the best possible preparation.

The 24-year-old returned to England just before Christmas after spending a month out in Florida working on his fitness as part of the ECB's elite fast bowler development programme.

After a few days' break over Christmas, Turner is now at the England Academy for two weeks, where he is working under the watchful eye of ECB fast bowling development programme coaches Kevin Shine and Neil Killeen.

Turner said: "My Florida experience was really worthwhile and I am now fitter than I have ever been at any time in my life."

Turner started bowling again in Loughborough on January 5 and tomorrow he will return to Taunton for a two-week spell with his Somerset colleagues.

On February 1, he will fly to India, where he will work with Australian Test bowling legend Dennis Lillee for 10 days, as part of the ECB programme.

However,Turner is not letting his ECB involvement get in the way of the reality of what he has to achieve for Somerset this season.

He said: "I can't start dreaming about playing for England until I have got myself a regular spot in the team and that is my target for this year. This season is make or break for me at Somerset. I am 24 now and I can no longer be classed a promising youngster, so I need to start playing for the first team in all forms of cricket.

"I am looking to feature in all forms of the game and feel that I showed potential last year and now believe I can be a first-team regular and make the difference for Somerset in 2009."