Harmison and Gough during a tour of the West Indies

England are struggling in the one-day game and have lost the Natwest Series to Sri Lanka but Harmison believes it is important to blood younger players.

He said in his Mail on Sunday column: "England are absolutely right to resist pressure to play men who are probably older than we need.

"Any international comeback for Goughie would be a last resort for selectors."

Harmison, who has just returned from injury, says he has a lot of respect for pace bowler Gough but he will be 36 by the time the World Cup comes around.

Gough, a veteran of 157 one-day internationals with 235 wickets, has called on selectors to pick him for the Caribbean.

I think it's far better to uncover bowlers capable of emulating the great Goughie Steve Harmison

But Harmison said: "He should be taking it easy rather than hurling himself round the West Indies on England duty.

"That said, if push comes to shove and we are struggling to build a cohesive one-day attack good enough to win the World Cup, then why not ask Goughie to play one last major event?

"I think it's far better to uncover bowlers capable of emulating the great Goughie.

"Liam Plunkett, Sajid Mahmood, Tim Bresnan, Kabir Ali and Jamie Dalrymple have, and will, get the chance to develop their games before the World Cup."