<text>  Surrey director of cricket Alec Stewart has praised Kevin Pietersens outstanding character, but admitted the batsmans chances of an England return are slim. Pietersen has rejoined Surrey to play in LV County Championship Division Two in a bid to win a Test recall for the Ashes this summer. The 34-year-old was sacked by the England and Wales Cricket Board after the 2013-14 Ashes whitewash, but Stewart revealed he has never had any problems with his attitude. Kevin Pietersen has been hailed for his outstanding character by Surrey chief Alec Stewart . Pietersen shared a picture of himself celebrating Australias World Cup win with James Faulkner . Surrey cricket director Stewart right cant see a way back for Pietersen with England . Hes been as good as gold with us. If he was a bad character we wouldnt have had him, he said on BBC Radio 5 Live. Whenever hes been with us he has been outstanding. Hes helped the youngsters, hes been in the nets, hes put on batting clinics and hes tried his heart out. So hopefully, and I have no reason to disbelieve, he will be exactly the same this time, if not even more hard working and desperate to score runs. Stewart accepted, though, that Pietersens hopes of playing for England again were likely to be dashed. Pietersen was axed by England following the controversial whitewash by Australia in last years Ashes . Test captain Alastair Cook left admits an England recall is unlikely for the Surrey batsman . ECB managing director Paul Downton has been steadfast in his appraisal that Pietersen will not come back - as have national selector James Whitaker and coach Peter Moores, while Test captain Alastair Cook rated the prospect highly unlikely. If England are winning, they have a good West Indies tour which we expect, then its going to take an injury or a huge loss of form for a vacancy to become available, Stewart added. But all Kevin can do and, thats what hes said to us, hes going to score runs, sit back and see what happens. 