Veteran leg-spinner Anil Kumble [Images] may have been out of India's one-day scheme for long but that has not deterred the bowler from nurturing hopes of a comeback for the World Cup in the West Indies [Images] next year.

Kumble, in England [Images] to play for Surrey until the end of the season, says the Indian selectors have promised to consider him for "the bigger tournaments".

"I've been told that I'm still in the scheme of things for the bigger tournaments. So I haven't ruled out the World Cup," said the 35-year-old, who was ignored earlier this week for India's tri-series in Sri Lanka [Images] next month.

Kumble said he was indeed disappointed when he was left out of the squad for 2003 World Cup but gradually he took it in his stride.

"Being left out of the one-day squad did upset me after the 2003 World Cup and it affected my performance but I decided not to worry about it.

"I need to get some one-day games under my belt and, hopefully, I will get some opportunities with Surrey," he was quoted as saying by BBC Sport on Saturday.

Kumble also said he was delighted to see Sachin Tendulkar [Images] return to the side after missing action for four months due to a shoulder injury.

"It is good for India and for cricket to have Sachin back. He has had more than his fair share of injuries, but has coped with them all really well; so he is bound to come back stronger for it.

"With his batting and overall skills and as a mentor for the younger lads, he brings so much to the team. Opposition teams still fear him and that obviously helps."