By Martin Gough

Spin bowling is bound to play a huge part as England's selectors have their final discussions this week, before announcing the squad to tour India on Friday.

England struggled along with Giles in Pakistan

Pitches are likely to be prepared to suit slow bowlers Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh, two of the best in the game.

England, by contrast, continue their struggle to find a reliable spin battery, a problem that was highlighted in Pakistan when they slumped to a 2-0 series defeat.

They had stuck to a simple plan in winning 14 of 18 Tests in 13 months, and then clinching a thrilling series 2-1 over Australia.

Former England batsman Mark Ramprakash, who toured India in 2001/02, was watching the action in his role as a TV analyst.

"England's success has been built around four quick bowlers, when they beat West Indies, New Zealand and then won the Ashes," he told BBC Sport.

"But when the pitches don't suit Andrew Flintoff and Steve Harmison, England run into trouble."

Min Patel has had a terrific couple of seasons, Gary Keedy is experienced but the name on everyone's lips is Monty Panesar Mark Ramprakash

England will be buoyed by the news that Ashley Giles returned to training last week as he recovers from hip surgery, but he faces a race against time to return to form.

Giles' struggle with the long-term injury rendered the left-armer ineffective in Pakistan, where he took just three wickets in the first two Tests before flying home.

He has been used as an attacking bowler, when conditions have suited, over the last few years.

But on England's last trip to India four years ago he was part of a plan nicknamed "boringline", when he tied up one end bowling over the wicket.

That allowed the pace bowlers to rotate at the other end, getting plenty of rest between spells.

"If England bat first and get 500 we may see Ashley come around the wicket and try to be a bit more aggressive with his bowling," says Ramprakash.

"[But] he has got into an over-the-wicket line, which he seems to enjoy and has had some success with it."

FIRST-CLASS STATS IN 2005 Shaun Udal (Hants) 44 wkts at 18.90, best 6-44 Monty Panesar (Above; Nthts) 51 at 22.47, best 7-181 Gary Keedy (Lancs) 33 at 22.81, best 6-33 Min Patel (Kent) 59 at 27.55, best 6-53 Ashley Giles (Warks/Eng) 34 at 30.08, best 6-44 Alex Loudon (Warks) 37 at 36.64, best 6-66 Gareth Batty (Worcs/Eng) 33 at 37.57, best 5-87

With Simon Jones, a leading exponent of reverse-swing, likely to be back in the side after ankle surgery, a similar tactic could work again.

If Giles is back to his best, England may opt to use a single spinner, using three seamers, plus all-rounder Flintoff, as they did during the Ashes.

Still, the selectors need to pick a back-up spinner, and Shaun Udal cannot be guaranteed the spot after struggling to take wickets in Pakistan.

"Min Patel has had a terrific couple of seasons for Kent, Gary Keedy is experienced and done quite well at Lancashire," says Ramprakash.

"But the name on everyone's lips is Monty Panesar, who's had a good season at Northants.

"I've not actually seen him bowl but people I've spoken to feel he's got a lot of potential and it's good to see a young English spinner."

Panesar has the potential to be an extremely good spinner - he should definitely tour India From John Have your say on TMS

All three men are left-armers but off-spinners are thin on the ground and England may prefer containing players to attacking variation.

Inexperienced Warwickshire off-spin all-rounder Alex Loudon went to Pakistan but was barely mentioned as a Test prospect.

Worcestershire's Gareth Batty is the other option as he spent time before Christmas at the World Cricket Academy in Mumbai (Bombay).

The most memorable of Batty's seven Tests so far was when Brian Lara punished him heavily on the way to his world record 400 not out in Antigua.

But England's options are limited as they prepare to travel to the traditional home of spin bowling.