Uncapped Tredwell toured New Zealand with England in 2008

Kent off-spinner James Tredwell hopes to play his way back into the England Test squad by starring for the Lions on their February tour of the UAE.

Tredwell was named as cover for Graeme Swann for the first Test in South Africa, but did not feature.

The 27-year-old told BBC Radio Kent: "I'm delighted. We go there with a strong squad so I'm sure we'll do well.

"I'm looking forward to hopefully playing a key role before moving on to Bangladesh with England."

He took 14 wickets in as many one-day games for Kent last season and set new career-best figures of 6-27 in the Friends Provident Trophy win against Middlesex in May.

He has a fantastic cricket brain which would have shone through in South Africa with the one-day Test team James Tredwell

The Lions face Pakistan, the hosts and the full England team in Twenty20 games in the United Arab Emirates, and Pakistan A in three 50-overs fixtures.

England play three one-day internationals and two Tests in Bangladesh during February and March.

Kent coach Paul Farbrace thinks Tredwell needs to spend time in the England environment to develop.

He explained: "They need to see him close-up so they can appreciate what a quality person he is.

"He has a fantastic cricket brain which would have shone through in South Africa with the one-day Test team."

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