Sources close to the England camp suggest that off spinner Croft is likely to be invited to tour as a replacement for Ian Salisbury, who took just one wicket during England's Test series triumph in Pakistan.

"I am absolutely certain now that Croft has a great chance of being included in the touring party," said BBC Wales cricket correspondent Edward Bevan.

"I gather that Ian Salisbury may be left out, even though he was picked for the tour in the autumn.

"He has taken only one wicket in three test matches, and England badly need to take spinners to Sri Lanka because the fast bowlers can bowl only three overs at a time in the searing heat out there.

"I have it on good authority that Robert Croft has a great chance of being selected," added Bevan.

Rumours

Croft is eager to wipe away the memory of the autumn outburst following his omission from the squad to tour Pakistan.

"I have heard rumours that they might be adding to the squad and if my name was to be pulled out of the hat then I would be overjoyed to play again," said Croft.

"I was disappointed and I got a few things off my chest, but I have since spoken to David Graveney and he knows that if I was ever given the opportunity to play again that I would.

"Yes, at the time I was very disappointed, but once I had spoken to a few people and got the reasoning behind it then I was fine.

"All I want to do now is put it all behind me, and I would like to get back there given the chance."

Back-up

The spinners are likely to play a bigger role in the Test series against Sri Lanka than they did in Pakistan, where England's impressive 1-0 series victory was clinched in thrilling fashion on Monday.

With the Sri Lankan attack to be led by off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, it is unlikely the tourists will encounter tracks suited to fast bowlers.

There is a clear need to back-up Ashley Giles, England's star bowler in the Pakistan series, with a more potent threat than Salisbury has offered.

Croft, however, would need to perform with greater success than he did against the West Indies in England last summer.