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England are expected to keep faith with the players that beat West Indies at Headingley when they name their squad for next week’s third Test on Sunday.

All-rounder Andrew Flintoff has been ruled out of the rest of the series after undergoing ankle surgery. Paceman Matthew Hoggard looks set to miss out after suffering a setback in his recovery from a thigh problem.

But batsman Ian Bell, who struggled with a stiff back in Leeds, should be fine to keep his place in the side. And swing bowler Ryan Sidebottom will hope to build on his match haul of 8-86 in his first Test for six years, which helped England claim victory by an innings at Headingley.

Chairman of selectors David Graveney believes the panel’s task has been made straightforward by the absence of key men. “I feel for all the injured players because it is never easy for them, but the current situation means we don’t have as many decisions to make,” he said.

“As selectors we would prefer to have as many people as possible in contention, but the injuries we have at the moment are giving other people a chance to stake their claims,” Graveney added. Probable England squad: Vaughan (captain), Cook, Strauss, Pietersen, Collingwood, Bell, Prior (wkt), Plunkett, Harmison, Sidebottom, Panesar, Anderson.

Source:The News