Sri Lanka off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan will make a comeback to Test cricket in the series against New Zealand in January next year, Sri Lankan Board president Mohan De Silva said on Friday.

"Murali has made a good recovery from his shoulder injury. He will be consulting his surgeon in November. He should be back in the second Test against New Zealand," De Silva told Reuters.

Sri Lanka start their New Zealand tour in December. They will play five one-day internationals and two Tests.

The second Test is scheduled from January 22-26 in Wellington.

Muralitharan, who has been out of action since playing against South Africa at home in August, was overtaken by Australia leg spinner Shane Warne as the highest wicket taker in Test cricket this month in India.