LUKE Sutton is coming back to Derbyshire.

Five years after leaving to join Lancashire, the former county captain has signed a two-year contract to return in 2011.

The deal gives head of cricket John Morris the replacement wicketkeeper he needed following the release of Lee Goddard last month and, as importantly, a senior figure in the dressing room to make up in part for the three players leaving at the end of this season.

Sutton, who will be 34 next month, joined Derbyshire from Somerset in 2000 and was captain from 2004-5 but left for Old Trafford the following year.

His commitment and professionalism made Sutton exceptionally popular with supporters and players alike and, after announcing his decision to leave Lancashire recently, he says he is delighted to be back at the County Ground.

"I always had half an eye on coming back to Derbyshire one day," he said.

"The club has played a huge part in my life. I was a raw young cricketer when I first came to the club in 2000 and I had a lot of growing up to do. Being at Derbyshire helped me develop a lot, so I have always had strong feelings for the club.

"I think my time at Lancashire was over and it was the right time to move on.

"I've had a good five years but I want to play in all forms of the game and extend my career and I was fortunate the timing worked out with Derbyshire."

Sutton has scored 6,780 first-class runs in 160 career matches, with the last two of his 11 centuries coming this season. He has claimed 406 career catches and 22 stumpings.

He averaged just under 31 with the bat with Derbyshire and just over 33 for Lancashire and he says there is plenty more to come.

"I'm coming back a more experienced and better player than when I left the club," he added.

"I'm not a spring chicken anymore but I'm still in good shape and I'm lucky that I've not missed a game through injury in the last couple of years.

"There's no reason why I cannot play for another three years, minimum. I still feel I'm improving as a player and that I've still got more to contribute.

"I'm coming up to 34 and I still have important years of my career to come.

"One thing I don't want is to coast along. I want to be part of a side that, win or lose, is unapologetically aggressive and very competitive every game.

"The squad does lack a bit of experience and I think I've got an important role to play in helping these talented young players develop as cricketers and do something to help push the club towards the next level.

"I've been very fortunate that I've played at three very different clubs under a lot of coaches and I come back to Derby with that experience and knowledge.

"Off the field, the club has made fantastic improvements. They are financially strong and you only have to look at the ground to see how much better that is.

"On the field, I think they have improved as well from when I first joined the club. The current side is very talented and that's not materialised into anything significant so far but they've shown in more than glimpses what the team is capable of.

"I want to play alongside guys who are as passionate about playing for Derbyshire as I have always been.

"Whoever is in the squad, I hope they are guys who are as committed to rolling their sleeves up, scrapping hard and playing together. That's what I would look for next season."