Ryan Sidebottom will try to put his injury nightmare behind him when England arrive in the Caribbean next week.

The Notts bowler feared for his place in the West Indies after missing the Test tour of India before Christmas and seeing Kent paceman Amjad Khan added to the party. But the man who became Mr Reliable after a stunning England return in 2007 can now attempt to make himself a key performer for new captain Andrew Strauss.

Sidebottom was named England's player of the year last May and was arguably the biggest success during Peter Moores's brief reign as coach.

Ignored for more than half a decade, the left-armer had the backing of Moores - and repaid it handsomely when taking eight wickets against West Indies at Headingley after being called back into the team.

Sidebottom kept his place against India at home and Sri Lanka away, became a vital member of the one-day attack, took a Test hat-trick in New Zealand and remained a dominant force while the Kiwis were being beaten again during the first half of last summer.

But the 31-year-old has struggled to stay fit since then - and England have toiled without him. A back problem cost Sidebottom his place against South Africa at Headingley before a combination of groin, Achiles and side injuries plagued the bowler.

Two warm-up matches in St Kitts should give the paceman the chance to press for a Test place. Although Strauss's team for the First Test in Jamaica, starting 4 February, is likely to include only one spinner, Sidebottom faces a fight to make the team with himself, Steve Harmison, Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad battling for three spots in support of all-rounder Andrew Flintoff.

Deciding who misses out could be the first difficult decision for Strauss.