The Wales and Lions star has been beset with fitness problems in the past few seasons and represented his country on just three occasions in the past 10 months.
Shanklin appeared just once in this year's Six Nations before missing the summer tour of New Zealand with a knee injury, but Young believes the 30-year-old centre is ready to return for November's autumn internationals.
"In the three games so far Tom has been outstanding," Young told the South Wales Echo.
"He has come back energised and is enjoying his rugby.
"He has been strong and full of energy and has got us over the gainline in every game we have played. He had a bad injury towards the end of last season so was out for a long period.
"I am sure he has missed playing international rugby and that is where he wants be.
"He knows his first job is to cement his place in the Blues side and, if he keeps his current performance levels he can't be far away from the Welsh starting side."
Shanklin was a star performer in the Blues' bonus-point win over the Dragons on Saturday as Young's side made it 10 points from a possible 15 in this year's Magners League.
The Blues travel to Italy to take on Benetton Treviso this weekend in what is one of just three more Magners League fixtures before the start of the autumn internationals.
Wales then face Australia, South Africa, Fiji and New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium from November 6 onwards, with Shanklin hoping to add to his 66 caps to date.
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