Tudor back from injury

Tudor will play for Surrey in the C&G Trophy semi-final

England received some welcome respite from their injury woes with the news fast bowler Alex Tudor has recovered from shin splints.

Tudor was forced to sit out of the first Test against India after suffering the injury during England's NatWest Series final defeat by India.

He made his return for Surrey last weekend with a seven-over spell against Essex at Guildford in the Norwich Union League

If things go well hopefully I'll get selected for the next Test

Alex Tudor

And he is hopeful of making the starting line-up for the C&G Trophy semi-final against Yorkshire when the rain-hit match gets underway at Headingley on Thursday.

With several bowlers troubled by injury, Tudor's availability for next week's second Test is a fillip for England as they attempt to double their series lead.

Darren Gough is definitely out, resting a knee injury, Andy Caddick is doubtful with a side strain.

And Simon Jones (side strain) and Andrew Flintoff (groin) both struggled visably on the final day at Lord's.

"I went for a scan last Friday and it showed the swelling on the leg has cleared up," Tudor told Radio Five Live.

"I bowled on Saturday at Guildford with the coach for 20 minutes and there was no reaction and everything seemed to go pretty well.

Butcher is expected to be fit by next week

"The injury came on very quickly during the final and I could hardly walk but one thing the physiotherapists assured me was that sometimes it goes quickly, too.

"I wanted to be part of the first Test at Lord's and it was disappointing when I wasn't but if things go well hopefully I'll get selected for the next Test."

England batsman Mark Butcher ruled himself out of the semi-final, having not recovered fully from knee surgery.

But England physio Dean Conway said this week that soreness was to be expected as part of the recovery process and the hope is that Butcher will be fit for Trent Bridge.