Jonathan Trott hopes his England Lions call-up marks the first step to a full Test comeback after a difficult year he admits has left him "a lot wiser".

The 33-year-old batsman has not featured for England since his premature departure from last winter's Ashes tour, initially attributed to a stress-related illness.

An aborted return to county cricket with Warwickshire in April raised major doubts about his future, but after a second attempt to return to the game Trott finished the season in impressive form.

That has persuaded the England and Wales Cricket Board that the time is right to reintegrate him into their plans - albeit tentatively - with a place in the provisional 14-man group that will play two first-class matches against his native South Africa in January.

He has not been kept on for the five one-day matches that follow, suggesting he is now seen primarily as a candidate for the Test squad despite impressive limited-overs form at the tail end of the campaign.

Speaking to BBC Radio Five Live, Trott confirmed he was eyeing a full Test comeback and credited his time in the domestic game with assisting his recovery.

"I seem to have found myself in a situation where I'm enjoying cricket again," he told the station.

"I love the game, it's cruel and kind to you at the same time, at different times it can be really kind and very, very cruel.

"I still have aspirations to play for England. If I do want to play for England again, I have to earn my place back. I had that mentality playing for Warwickshire this year and thoroughly enjoyed my season with them.

"I remember going on previous Lions trips in 2007 and '08 and I had to prove to the coaches and the ECB set-up that playing for England was something I could do.

"I have to do that again and it's an exciting time. It's a good test with regards to where I am and I feel very happy about my cricket at the moment.

"I worked really hard in the time that I had off to get myself in the right place to be able to contribute to Warwickshire and beyond.

"I'd definitely say that I'm a lot wiser after the last year."

Asked specifically about next summer's Ashes series, though, he added: "I'm not looking too far ahead. Setting goals to make teams is very dangerous and a lot of times it's not really in your control."

Middlesex batsman Sam Robson, who opened the batting in all seven Test matches this summer, will join Trott in the first-class squad - indicating his inconsistent form has left questions still to answer.

And there is also a call-up for 22-year-old Kent off-spinner Adam Riley, tipped by many to emerge as the likeliest long-term heir to Graeme Swann.

Trott, Robson and Riley will be replaced by Lancashire spinner Stephen Parry, Nottinghamshire all-rounder Samit Patel and explosive Surrey batsman Jason Roy for the one-day leg.

Of the 11 players taking part in both formats, seven come from LV= County Champions Yorkshire.

Adam Lyth and Alex Lees, the White Rose county's prolific openers, will both have the chance to measure up against Robson - with all three effectively shooting at the same Test spot alongside Alastair Cook.

Jonny Bairstow and Gary Ballance, who share 22 Test caps and 19 ODI appearances, are also included as England attempt to keep their wider squad involved ahead of the World Cup.

Seamers Jack Brooks and Liam Plunkett and all-rounder Adil Rashid complete the Yorkshire contingent.

Sussex coach Mark Robinson will lead the side again, with a captain due to be named upon England's World Cup squad announcement in December.

Several squad members, notably Roy, Bairstow and Ballance, might yet force their way into the reckoning for the global tournament.

Explaining the balance between tried-and-tested internationals and younger prospects, ECB national selector James Whitaker said: "We believe that the 17 players provisionally included across the two Lions squads incorporates an excellent mix of international experience alongside fresh young talent.

"For the likes of Sam Billings, Craig Overton and Adam Riley to be playing alongside Sam Robson, Gary Ballance and Jonny Bairstow in a Lions tour is an exciting prospect for the future of English cricket, and I am certain that all of the players will learn a great deal from the experience."

Provisional squad to play against South Africa A: J Bairstow (Yorkshire), G Ballance (Yorkshire), S Billings (Kent), J Brooks (Yorkshire), A Lees (Yorkshire), A Lyth (Yorkshire), C Overton (Somerset), L Plunkett (Yorkshire), B Rankin (Warwickshire), A Rashid (Yorkshire), J Vince (Hampshire), A Riley* (Kent), S Robson* (Middlesex), J Trott* (Warwickshire), S Parry** (Lancashire), S Patel** (Nottinghamshire), J Roy** (Surrey).

* - indicates part of first-class squad only.

** - indicates part of one-day squad only.