England trio facing fitness fight

The fitness of captain Michael Vaughan, seamer Matthew Hoggard and all-rounder Andrew Flintoff was due to be checked before the announcement of a 13-man party.

Least likely to make it to Leeds is Hoggard, who suffered a thigh strain on day three of the first Test which finished in a rain-affected draw at Lord's, and coach Peter Moores explained: "Matthew is quite doubtful for Headingley, that's why we don't want to announce the squad yet."

Vaughan stands a much better chance of making his home Test, his recovery from a broken finger apparently well advanced.

"Michael looks like he'll play," Moores added. "He will have a severe fitness test. Every time he's had a bat there's been a little bit of pain, but nothing that should stop him playing."

The coach also sees no reason why Vaughan's return to the team - for the first time since December 2005 - should be delayed any longer, even though some advocate another stint for Yorkshire to help him prove form and fitness again.

"Before this Test Michael had played well in county cricket, and I think his record as captain goes without saying," said Moores.

"We want to get him back in there at the start of something new and get him playing again for England."

Flintoff, like Vaughan, was close to being fit to face the Windies at HQ but England exercised caution with one of their prize assets following a recurrence of soreness in his problem left ankle.

Moores reiterated that the Lancashire all-rounder is likely to be considered only if he can bowl as well as bat. Even then, England will surely need extra cover - either James Anderson or Sajid Mahmood - at a venue known to favour pace over spin.