DAVID Howell admits he is looking forward to getting his 2017 campaign going again as he prepares for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

The 41-year-old withdrew from last weekend’s BMW SA Open due to family reasons, but is raring to go after more than a month’s rest from the game.

Howell began the new season in December at the UBS Hong Kong open where a course record-equalling seven under 63 on his third round helped him to a tied 14th finish.

The two-time Ryder Cup winner may be forced to play through the pain barrier when in Abu Dhabi as he continues to struggle with a foot injury which hampered his progress last term.

“The foot is okay, it’s going to be a little bit of a case of suck it and see, it’s not how I would want it to be but its okay to a point,” he said.

“It’s certainly feeling better than it was before Hong Kong where I was quite stressed about it, but I’m not too worried.

“It’s a lot of strain, I certainly feel like I am in my 40s and that’s going to be something which will probably have to be managed on a long term basis.”

After a turbulent 2016 due to injury and lack of form, Howell has also link up with former coach Jonathan Wallett, who will be joining him at the tournament this week.

“We’ve had a chat on the phone, he’s coming to Abu Dhabi, he was with me in Hong Kong but I’m looking forward to really getting back out on the tour,” he added.

“I’m looking forward to getting focussed and building up. One thing I have learned over the last few years is my golf at home and my golf on tour are two different beasts.”

“I try not to read into my practice, or lack of practice too much, I’ve got 20 years of experience in the bank so that’s not going to change. “ “It’s a case of being diligent and practice to make sure I am ready in Abu Dhabi where the sun will obviously be shining.”

Howell was set to tee off alongside Paul Warring and Germany’s Maximilian Kieffer this morning.

The Abu Dhabi field includes numbers three and four in the world, Dustin Johnson and Open champion Henrik Stenson, as well as Ryder Cup stars Lee Westwood, Darren Clarke, Robert Karlsson and Martin Kaymer.