It’s out of the nets and into the gym for Peter Siddle as the paceman chases a Test recall.

Siddle has returned home to Melbourne after cutting short a successful stint with English county club Nottinghamshire.

The 29-year-old was dropped for Australia’s series-deciding third Test against South Africa in March, with selectors preferring James Pattinson.

Coach Darren Lehmann referenced Siddle’s pace drop in explaining the decision, saying at the time he needed the Victorian to be bowling at 140 km/h.

“He knows that. We’ve spoken to him and I’m sure he will be back bigger and stronger,” Lehmann said.

That’s exactly Siddle’s plan over the next month, when he will focus on strength and conditioning instead of line and length.

“I haven’t done a pre-season in two-and-a-half years now, so it had all taken its toll a bit,” Siddle told radio station Triple M on Monday.

“I played for a long time and probably got a little bit fatigued and tired.

“That’s the reason for coming home from England early. Get back in with the Vic boys, get a bit of pre-season under the belt and get ready for a big 18 months.”

Siddle, renowned for resilience, famously bowled himself to breaking point in 2012 at Adelaide Oval.

He sent down a total of 63.5 overs in the epic draw against South Africa, then missed the Test series decider in Perth.

Since then a hectic schedule has offered limited respite.

Injuries to Pattinson (back) and Ryan Harris (knee) mean Siddle is well placed to reclaim his spot in Australia’s Test XI for a two-match series against Pakistan in October.

But, as Lehmann and chief selector Rod Marsh mull a touring party for the UAE series, Siddle can ill afford to adopt such an attitude.

“I have to get back to banging it in a little bit harder,” Siddle replied when asked what an ideal bowling speed for him would be.

Siddle laughed off suggestions the drop in pace could be attributed to his vegan diet.

“The bananas are going well,” he said.