Vaughan has voiced his displeasure in the past

England's international summer begins only two weeks after they return from a Spring tour to the West Indies and is a gruelling affair, including three sets of back-to-back Tests.

"There could be a happy medium made with sponsors and television to allow everything to fit in," Lloyd said.

"You need enough space in between to cope with injuries and so on. It should not be as cluttered a schedule as they have had in the last few years.

"I think it should allow two months off between tours so when you come back you are refreshed, you have had a rest and are ready to go."

Michael Vaughan's team begin next season with a three-Test series against New Zealand, including just two days between the second match at Headingley and the third at Trent Bridge.

You might lose vital players because a niggling injury needs five days recovery time instead of three Clive Lloyd

The West Indies' visit later in the summer to play two pairs of consecutive matches - Lord's followed by Edgbaston and Old Trafford followed by The Oval.

Weather permitting, the home could be on the field for 45 days out of 106, should they reach the final of the triangular NatWest Series.

The schedule-squeezing has been made necessary by the hosting of the ICC Champions Trophy - a one-day tournament involving the 12 top national sides - in September.

Vaughan has already voiced his displeasure at such a workload this season, when South Africa's tour included two sets of back-to-back Test matches.

Former West Indies captain Lloyd pointed to the case of pace bowler Steve Harmison, who suffered a calf problem in the third Test, less than 72 hours before the start of the fourth.

ENGLAND IN 2004 Tests v New Zealand 20-24 May 1st Test, Lord's 3-7 June 2nd Test, Headingley 10-14 June 3rd Test, Trent Bridge NatWest Series (End, NZ, WI) 24 June - 10 July Tests v West Indies 22-26 July 1st Test, Lord's 29 July - 2 Aug 2nd Test, Edgbaston 12-16 Aug 3rd Test, Old Trafford 19-23 Aug 4th Test, The Oval NatWest Challenge (Opponent TBC) 31 Aug, 2 Sept, 4 Sept ICC Champions Trophy 8 - 25 Sept

"Harmison might have been able to play with more rest and made a difference because he would have extracted a little bit more bounce than the other bowlers," he said.

"Really and truly England could have won that Test match if they had him.

"You might lose vital players because a niggling injury needs five days recovery time instead of three.

"And teams can't risk an individual because the opposition can refuse a substitute in such circumstances."

Because of retirements, injuries and loss of form, England have fielded 22 players in their seven Tests in 2003, with a further 10 used in one-day internationals.

Read more: SA to decide on Pakistan tour

The problem is not limited to England: if South Africa's tour of Pakistan goes ahead, they will have had just eight days at home after a three-month tour of the UK.

"It is a bit of a ridiculous schedule," captain Graeme Smith said.