Cook captained England to a 2-0 Test series win in Bangladesh last winter

Opening batsman Alastair Cook is confident of being fit for England's Test series against Pakistan despite an ongoing problem with his back.

The 25-year-old led England Lions to victory over India A in the final of a triangular series on Thursday.

But having missed three recent matches, Cook said: "There is a possibility I may need surgery in the future, but it's not high at the moment," he said.

"I'll be fit for the series against Pakistan unless something happens."

Cook suffered a bulging disc in his back during last winter's tour to South Africa.

And he experienced further problems last month in the Lions' opening match of the tri-series, which also involved West Indies A, forcing him to sit out the next three games.

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Cook is a key member of England's Test side, having scored more than 4,000 runs in 56 matches at an average of 44 since winning his first cap in India four years ago.

And the selectors will hope that he does not suffer any further problems this summer, with an Ashes tour to Australia to follow.

"My back is obviously a little bit frustrating but hopefully I've just turned the corner on that. Hopefully, with the treatment I've just had, it works," said Cook.

"It is something I'm having to manage at the moment. I don't think it will be ongoing forever.

"Whilst we know what it is, we are just trying to sort it out and try and make sure I can carry on playing as well."

Cook will play four-day and Twenty20 cricket for county side Essex ahead of the four-match series against Pakistan, which starts at Trent Bridge on 29 July.

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