Eldwick caddy Billy Foster admitted to mixed feelings ahead of his first long stint away on tour since returning from injury.

The Keighley-born bagman is working for South African Branden Grace for six overseas tournaments in a row until the end of the season.

Foster has only caddied intermittently this summer following several operations after tearing right knee ligaments while in America back in May 2012.

Having linked up on a couple of occasions with former employer Thomas Bjorn, the 47-year-old carried for Grace at this year’s Open and was also on his bag for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and the President’s Cup in America.

Now Foster is set for a continuous stretch alongside the European Tour’s seventh-ranked player as the Race to Dubai reaches its climax.

Grace tees off in the BMW Masters tomorrow, the first of two tournaments in Shanghai, before events in Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Australia.

Foster said: “Of course, I am happy to be back working but I’ve been at home that long that six weeks away from my wife and kids will be tough.”

Having eased his way back to action, the Bingley St Ives member is confident his knee can stand up to the rigours of constant touring.

He said: “I’ve had several operations on it, so there’s a bit of cracking but I’ve not had any grief from it.”