Vaughan was in the nets with England at Edgbaston

Vaughan has not played since having to return home early from the tour to India in February.

"Michael is ahead of schedule for where we want him to be and working extremely hard on his recovery programme.

"I wish Geoffrey had taken the trouble to phone myself or Michael to find out the situation," said Morton.

"It's extremely difficult to rehabilitate players with long-term injuries in the public eye and there are bound to be setbacks along the way.

"I'm disappointed with Geoffrey's remarks because he has just joined the Yorkshire committee and should know better than this.

"Negative talk can only be upsetting for Michael at a time when he needs to be focusing solely on getting himself right."

Vaughan has been taking part in practice sessions with Yorkshire and the England squad and this week has been at Edgbaston where the second Test against Sri Lanka is currently taking place.

Two weeks ago, however, he admitted he was making "slow progress".

You can put as much spin on it as you want - it's worrying Geoffrey Boycott

Boycott has suggested Vaughan should go to the USA to consult knee specialist Richard Steadman, who has successfully treated a number of top footballers in the past including Alan Shearer and Ruud van Nistelrooy.

But Morton insisted: "We believe we're doing the right thing, and why Geoffrey thinks Steadman is the best bet just because he has worked with a few footballers is a mystery."

He said Vaughan's rehabilitation programme had been devised to "get him playing again - not necessarily captaining England in a five-day Test match".