Vaughan ready for WA workout

Michael Vaughan could play for England against Western Australia © Getty Images

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Michael Vaughan's next step in his recovery programme with England has been given the full backing of the Academy staff based in Perth.

The Ashes-winning captain is available to be named in England's line-up for the two-day match against Western Australia at the WACA, which starts on Saturday, as the next stage in his rehabilitation.

Vaughan has played in two one-day matches for the Academy since flying out a couple of weeks ago, but is yet to play on consecutive days since undergoing another operation on his troublesome right knee last summer.

England's backroom team will be understandably anxious about Vaughan, but having consulted the Academy staff they have been reassured that he is ready for the next step in his recovery.

Vaughan in action during an Academy training session on Thursday © Getty Images

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"His batting is not an issue, he has been really sharp in the nets and he's feeling pretty good though he would have liked to have spent longer at the crease," explained Academy assistant coach David Parsons, currently with the Academy party at their winter performance camp just outside Perth.

"He's in pretty good shape at the moment. He looked pretty sharp in his running between the wickets and he has been involved in all our fielding work over the past few days."

Vaughan practised at South Perth on Thursday with the rest of the Academy intake and the five players who have not featured so far in the Test series - Liam Plunkett, Monty Panesar, Chris Read, Ed Joyce and Sajid Mahmood.