Batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar, who returned to Mumbai early Monday morning from London, said he would need 14 to 16 weeks to return to competitive cricket after undergoing surgery on his troublesome elbow.

"It [recovery process] is progressing quite well and I will need 14 to 16 weeks to return to competitive cricket," Tendulkar told reporters at the Mumbai airport.

"I have been given a programme [by the doctors] to follow. I will go back to London next week to consult the doctor again," said the ace batsman, who underwent surgery for tennis elbow in London last month.

"I will take time to go even to the basic nets. The stitches are still on," added Tendulkar, who will also attend the tsunami chairty match between an MCC XI and World XI at Lord's on June 14.

Tendulkar refused to be drawn into conversation about newly-appointed national team coach Greg Chappell.

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"I need to meet him," said the champion batsman who will miss India's first international campaign in the new season -- the triangular series in Sri Lanka in July-August.

Tendulkar played the entire series against Pakistan after missing the early part of the Test series against Australia in October.

His latest injury woes started in August last year. It forced him to miss the triangular series in Holland, the NatWest Challenge Series against England and the ICC Champions Trophy, besides the first two Tests against Australia at home.