Exclusive: Sayers is spurred back to fitness by Yorkshire supporters

Sayers has not played since last June after being diagnosed with Post-Viral Fatigue Syndrome (PVFS) – a condition linked with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and ME.

At one point, Sayers was sleeping up to 15 hours a day and could barely walk up a flight of stairs.

But the courageous 27-year-old is on the mend and hopes to start the season in April.

"I should be ready for the start of the season," revealed Sayers, whose plight has touched the hearts of Yorkshire's supporters.

"I've been back in training for the last four weeks and am hitting the ball as well as ever.

"When the symptoms were at their most severe, I feared I'd never play again.

"I've heard stories about people who've had this illness in other walks of life whose condition has worsened and never got better.

"I feel proud to have got to where I've got to in a short space of time and I think it's helped I was fit to start off with.

"Even a month ago, I wouldn't have predicted I'd be this far on, so I've got to be pleased with the progress I've made.

"I've been really spurred on by the support I've had from the Yorkshire members and the help of everyone connected with the club.

"You can't put a price on that sort of encouragement and I'm thankful to everyone who's got in touch."

Sayers is also grateful for the assistance he has received from Bob Appleyard, the former Yorkshire seam and spin bowler who contracted tuberculosis during the 1950s but battled back to resume his career.

Appleyard, 86, retains an active interest in Yorkshire cricket and was only too willing to offer his support.

"Bob very kindly volunteered his time to talk to me and he was extremely helpful," said Sayers.

"We had lunch together and talked about his story and it's great to have someone like Bob on your side.

"Bob's illness and symptoms were much more severe than mine; he lost part of his lung and was staring death in the face at one point.

"But he felt our stories were similar in some respects and I found him a marvellous source of inspiration."

Sayers's problems began when he contracted gastroenteritis on the England Lions tour of South Africa in December 2009.

He was bedridden for 10 days and needed a dose of antibiotics just to get home.

The left-hander recovered to play the opening eight County Championship games of last season before his problems returned with a vengeance.

Sayers was forced to pull out on the opening morning of the Championship match against Lancashire at Old Trafford, the prelude to medical examinations at Leeds's Nuffield Hospital and eventual diagnosis.

"The illness hit me very hard but I've been active since the end of November," added Sayers.

"I started off doing a bit of walking and built things up slowly from there.

"After a while, the walk became a jog, the jog became a run, and I've stepped things up daily.

"I feel as though I've become a more rounded person during the last few months with a heightened appreciation of cricket and life."

Sayers's fortitude in the face of adversity has impressed all at Yorkshire – not least Martyn Moxon, the county's director of professional cricket.

Moxon views Sayers as an integral member of the side and is thrilled to see him firmly on the mend.

"I've been absolutely delighted with Joe's progress," said Moxon.

"Touch wood, there's been no ill-effects to the work he's been doing and he'll be fit and ready for the start of the season.

"Of course, there's still some way to go; Joe hasn't been doing quite as much physical activity as the rest of the lads, but he's definitely moving in the right direction.

"Joe has always been a very popular lad and a terrific fighter and he's a vital member of the Yorkshire side."

Before contracting gastroenteritis, Sayers was in the form of his life.

His return of 1,103 Championship runs at 42.42 in 2009 was comfortably his best in a Yorkshire shirt.

Even those statistics highlighted Sayers's strength of character.

A poor run of form prior to that had left him fighting to save his career.

"Joe is a tremendous player and he will only get better in my opinion," added Moxon.

"We've seen a big development in his game during the past couple of years, which made his illness all the more difficult to take.

"I know one of his key ambitions is to play a lot more one-day cricket, and, with Jacques Rudolph having left the club, there is clearly a place available in the one-day side.

"But just to have him back training again – let alone playing – is terrific news and I hope he'll go from strength to strength."

Around 250,000 people in the UK have conditions associated with chronic fatigue.

It is more common in women than men and usually develops during the early 20s to mid 40s.

Sayers's return to health will be an inspiration to many who suffer from such debilitating conditions.

A talented cricketer and an affable character, his presence at Yorkshire has been sorely missed.