Butcher returns to fitness

Butcher has taken a full part in recent training sessions

Key England batsman Mark Butcher is almost certain to be passed fit for the first Test against West Indies.

Butcher twisted his ankle in the field in the first warm-up match on 2 March but has recovered quickly.

Wicket-keeper Chris Read, in his column for BBC Sport, said: "He has been training and practising, doing a bit of running and turning on the ankle."

With Graham Thorpe also recovered from a back strain England are set to pick from a full-strength squad on Thursday.

West Indies, on the other hand, have suffered an injury blow with their new batting star Dwayne Smith out injured.

Read more: Smith dislocates finger

The fitness of the experienced pair, who both know what it is like to play in the Caribbean, is a blow for Paul Collingwood who was hoping for a third Test cap after hitting 103 against Jamaica in the first tour match.

But Middlesex captain Andrew Strauss, who trained for the first time at Sabina Park on Tuesday, will be even more of a fringe player.

He is now expected to do very little after being called up as additional cover for Thorpe and Butcher.

I think I've got a role to play here and it's important that I'm on the ball Ashley Giles

England now have just one remaining selection dilemma before they name their line-up for the opening Test. They have to decide on whether to pick Matthew Hoggard or James Anderson.

Both have shown form on the tour but with Steve Harmison and Simon Jones inked in to share the new ball there will only be space for one other specialist seamer.

Ashley Giles, in the familiar role as the sole spin bowler, said he did not mind that most of the attention was centred on the pacemen.

"I've been able to settle in and get on with it," said the slow left-armer.

"I believe I've bowled pretty well in practice, but I can make improvements in what I've done so far.

If Butcher gets in after a good opening partnership from Vaughan and Trescothick, West Indies will be in trouble From Don Talon Have your say on TMS

"It's taken the pressure off a little bit. Going to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka was all about how I was going to play a part and the battle between myself and Gareth Batty."

Things have been rather different in Jamaica.

"Every morning I see one of the big guys like Jones or Harmison talking to the press and that's what the focus is on so I can just get on with my work," said Giles.

"But at the same time I'm not going to think it's over to those guys - I think I've got a role to play here and it's important that I'm on the ball to do that."

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