Mark Butcher has been included in England's 13-man squad for the first Test against West Indies which starts at Lord's on Thursday.
Butcher had been considered a doubt after suffering a thigh strain playing Twenty20 cricket for Surrey.
The selectors have named Kent batsman Rob Key as cover, though Butcher is fully expected to play.
Paceman Simon Jones was also recalled after missing the last two Tests against New Zealand with a foot injury.
All-rounder Andrew Flintoff, who did not bowl in the NatWest Series one-day games because of an ankle spur, has been included though may play as a batsman only.
"I'm not saying that Flintoff will not bowl, but it is a situation that has to be closely managed," chairman of selectors David Graveney told BBC Five Live.
 |  He could continue to play as a batsman only, which he has done in spectacular mode over the last couple of weeks |
"He could continue to play as a batsman only, which he has done in spectacular mode over the last couple of weeks.
"We feel that the more time he has to recover and receive treatment, the greater his chances of taking part in the game as an all-rounder."
Matthew Hoggard is also in the squad despite a recent knee injury scare.
Hoggard and Jones both underlined their fitness playing for the MCC in a three-day match against West Indies last week.
It would appear Jones and James Anderson are competing for the final seamer's spot, though both could yet play if Flintoff is picked as a batsman only.
Despite his presence in the squad, it appears Key, who did not play in the Test series against New Zealand, is certain to miss the cut.
"Butcher is responding to treatment, albeit slowly, and if you ask me then he will be fit by Thursday," Graveney added.
"The selectors felt they wanted to bring Key in for him to part of the build-up just in case something happened to Butcher."
England squad: MP Vaughan (capt), ME Trescothick, AJ Strauss, MA Butcher, GP Thorpe, A Flintoff, GO Jones, RWT Key, AF Giles, SJ Harmison, MJ Hoggard, SP Jones, JM Anderson.
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
