BBC SPORT | Cricket | England | Injuries influence one-day thinking

Having made a commitment to continuity, and with next February's World Cup looming large on the horizon, there is unlikely to be wholesale change though.

And, with over a week to go before the tournament opener against Sri Lanka at Trent Bridge, England look likely to name some of the injured in a 15-man squad and await medical reports.

But there are some crucial additions to be made for England to fulfil both of their goals: being competitive at home to two of the world's leading limited overs sides and preparing amply for the World Cup.

Darren Gough will play for Yorkshire's Academy side this weekend, and the second team next week in an attempt to prove his recovery from troublesome knee surgery.

And none of the collection of other niggles, including Ashley Giles' stiff back, Paul Collingwood's knee trouble and Graham Thorpe's ankle worry, are considered long-term problems.

But Andrew Caddick has been ruled out after suffering a side strain during the third Test.

Ready-made replacements

Two selections seem to already be penned in on the team sheet.

Wicketkeeper James Foster is yet to begin playing after a broken arm while Alec Stewart returned to form during the third Test.

Although he was not always a first-choice, the tragic death of Ben Hollioake shortly after that New Zealand series has left a hole in the squad that few are qualified to fill.

Ronnie Irani
Irani has been in fine form with both bat and ball

Seam-bowling all-rounders are in short supply in county cricket.

But Ronnie Irani has shone so far this year in leading Essex to the B&H Cup final and a single loss so far in the league.

As well as 28 wickets at an average of 14.17 in all one-day matches this year, Irani has 423 runs in 10 innings, and has only been dismissed five times.

As England continue their search for the right men at six, seven and eight in their batting order, looking for match-closers and late order acceleration, Irani's name must surely top the list.

Of the remaining 10 from India and New Zealand, six have been in action in the recent Test series, and none have given reason to be retired from the limited overs scene.

Time away from the national side has not been especially kind to the remaining four, though.

Nick Knight averages 24.36 after 12 one-day matches for Warwickshire this season, but his 588 Championship runs at 73.50 should ensure his continued place at the top of the order.

James Kirtley
Kirtley is an outside bet for a call-up

As a back-up all-rounder, Craig White has failed to impress so far this year, his eight wickets coming at five runs per over and runs a rarity in a disappointing Yorkshire side.

Spinner Jeremy Snape has bowled just 11 overs in the Norwich Union League so far and scored 90 runs in seven limited-overs innings.

And Gloucestershire have left him out on form from Wednesday's C&G Trophy meeting with Durham.

And Owais Shah has managed an average of 28.71 after eight visits to the crease in domestic one-day cricket.

Outsiders

This England selection panel is more loyal, and far-sighted, than those that have preceded it, but there are a few names that must have cropped up in discussions.

James Kirtley, his action remodelled after he was reported on his international debut in Zimbabwe last October, has been almost unstoppable so far this year.

His 54 wickets in all forms of the game this year include a devastating opening spell for MCC against the Sri Lankans a fortnight ago.

And Lancashire's Glen Chapple is also a name being whispered around the fringes of the team.

His unbeaten 81 batting at three against Derbyshire in the C&G Trophy third round match proves that he is more than a miserly seamer.

Possible England 15: Nasser Hussain (capt), Glen Chapple, Paul Collingwood, Andrew Flintoff, Ashley Giles, Darren Gough, Matthew Hoggard, Ronnie Irani, James Kirtley, Nick Knight, Jeremy Snape, Alec Stewart, Graham Thorpe, Marcus Trescothick, Michael Vaughan.