England wait on Vaughan

Michael Vaughan broke his finger playing for Yorkshire at the Rose Bowl © Getty Images

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England are prepared to wait as long as possible to allow Michael Vaughan the chance of returning to Test cricket against West Indies next week.

The captain has not featured in any international five-day match since knee trouble forced him to fly home from Pakistan after the second Test in Lahore in December 2005.

Those injury problems ruled him out for over a year but after proving his fitness by playing every match in the recent World Cup campaign he broke his finger playing for Yorkshire against Hampshire last week.

But after being initially diagnosed as being ruled out for three weeks - which would have ensured he was missing for the first two Tests at least - Vaughan is now hopeful of being fit.

“We’re trying to give him as long as possible to recover and make a decision,” confirmed chairman of selectors David Graveney.

“We will have to wait and see what condition he is in before we name the squad.”

Graveney is due to reveal the first squad of the international summer at 9.30am on Sunday.

Once Vaughan injured his finger from a delivery by Australia seamer Stuart Clark, his chances of being in contention seemed slim.

His recovery has progressed better than expected, however, with Yorkshire coach Martyn Moxon stressing: “I don’t know whether they’ve made a decision or not but he’s definitely improving.”

Vaughan is likely to be included in a larger-than-normal squad for the first match under new coach Peter Moores as the selectors attempt to provide cover just in case he fails to prove his fitness.