By Martin Gough

England overcame an injury crisis to tie a famous series in India earlier in the year and they will have to deal with key absences at home against Sri Lanka too.

Of those who were missing in India only Marcus Trescothick is likely to return for the first Test at Lord's next week.

How will the side look on 11 May? BBC Sport examines the issues.

With Michael Vaughan not ready to risk his suspect knee without thorough preparation, Andrew Flintoff looks set to keep the mantle.

First Test v Sri Lanka, Lord's, 11-15 May Squad to be announced at 0930 on Sunday 7 May

But England's management have made clear their fears that the triple burden of batting, bowling and leading could be too much for their star man in Ashes year.

Marcus Trescothick appears to be out of the mix as England do not want to add extra pressure following his early return from India with personal problems and a virus.

Andrew Strauss is one name that has been mentioned as an alternative but unless Vaughan is ruled out for a long period, Flintoff will fill in.

After committing himself fully to the England cause again, Trescothick is nailed on for a return, although his county form has varied widely so far.

Vaughan and Harmison to miss Test

Strauss put a run of poor form behind him with his first innings century in the third Test victory over India and will be on his home ground, where he averages 67.85.

The number three spot is more difficult to fill, though.

Ian Bell impressed in the position in Pakistan, hitting 71 and 92, either side of a scintillating century at four in Faisalabad.

In India though, he did little to dispel the notion he struggles against top-class spin and Sri Lanka have a certain Muttiah Muralitharan in their team.

Cook aiming to expand Essex role

Alastair Cook made a century on debut at the top of the order, replacing Trescothick in India, and may offer an alternative at three, with Bell either dropping down or dropping out.

Owais Shah made 88 on debut at three in Mumbai but is likely to be down the pecking order for a Test chance on his home ground.

Kevin Pietersen is a given, although his propensity to get out with a big shot when well set is something he needs to eradicate.

Collingwood has stepped up as first batting reserve

Paul Collingwood settled into the line-up in Pakistan as the first batting reserve, joyously hitting a maiden Test century in the first match of the series in India.

He could be considered an all-rounder as English spring conditions will bring him movement with his brisk medium pace.

That is likely to gain him the nod over Bell although, if conditions look like favouring seam exclusively, it is possible both may be used with the spinner forsaken.

In case anyone needs reminding, Geraint Jones is considered the better batsman while Chris Read is thought of as the better wicket-keeper.

Jones, however, has a batting average of 27.75 after 26 Tests and only topped 50 twice over the winter.

Meanwhile, Read hit a century for England A in the Caribbean and already has two tons at first-class level for Nottinghamshire this season.

Jones was promised a good chance when handed the job in the West Indies in 2004 and unquestionably he has had just that.

If they pick a slow bowler at all, England's selectors have a big dilemma here.

Udal has experience and adaptability on his side

With first-choice Ashley Giles already ruled out of the series to have hernia surgery, any one of Shaun Udal, Monty Panesar or Ian Blackwell could step up.

Blackwell is the least likely to take wickets but, as the most accomplished batsman, he could best fill the number eight spot in the order.

He had an impressively economical one-day series in India and may be used to tie up one end while the pace bowlers attack at the other.

Udal returned dream figures of 4-14 to wrap up victory over India in Mumbai and is arguably the more dependable and adaptable of the three, able to attack or defend.

Panesar focused on Northants goal

By dismissing India's Sachin Tendulkar on debut, Panesar showed he has huge potential and England must play a balancing act with his confidence.

With Jones (knee), Anderson (back) and Steve Harmison (shin) all out of action, the youngsters next in line for bowling spots are Liam Plunkett and Sajid Mahmood.

Jones 'very doubtful' for England

However, with Mahmood's inexperience - he played only half Lancashire's Championship games in 2005 and just four ODIs - some pragmatism may be needed.

Gloucestershire's 30-year-old captain Jon Lewis, dismissed as too slow by the England hierarchy last year, has been called into the England A side this week and could step up.

Durham man Plunkett played one Test in each of Pakistan and India but, more impressively, appeared in eight one-day internationals.

He displayed control and economy with the type of back-of-a-length bowling that Andrew Flintoff used earlier in his career in taking 13 wickets at 33.61.

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Whatever the final mix, Matthew Hoggard is likely to open the bowling with Flintoff, looking for early wickets to cover for their green reserves.

A five-pronged pace line-up is unlikely but possible if England management want to keep Flintoff fresh for the rest of the year.