England's hopes of recreating the Ashes magic of 2005 when the old enemy arrive this summer have been dealt a blow with the news that injury-prone fast bowler Simon Jones faces a two-month spell on the sidelines.

Jones was due to undergo an operation today to remove loose cartilage in his knee, which is likely to keep him out of action until the middle of June.

Even if the 30-year-old, whose reverse swing was a key component of England's attack four years ago, returns for Worcestershire on schedule, his lack of match practice would almost certainly rule him out of the five-Test series against Australia, which begins on 8 July.

Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes said: "Simon will undergo arthroscopy on his left knee to remove loose cartilage. It's bad news."

Meanwhile, England's new team director, Andy Flower, hinted that former captain Michael Vaughan remains in contention for a place in the squad for the first Test of the summer against West Indies, which begins at Lord's on 6 May.

Asked about a potential recall for Vaughan, despite his current lack of early-season runs, Flower said: "We have a selection meeting later this week, and there are some important things to be discussed. That is one of the topics we will talk about."

Flower also insisted he was confident of being able to work alongside Kevin Pietersen - even though England's star batsman wanted the Zimbabwean sacked along with Peter Moores in January.

Flower, whose efforts in the top job in the West Indies have subsequently won Pietersen round, said: "Kevin is very important to English cricket - he is a very fine player.

"Kevin and I have always got on pretty well, and that hasn't changed. As to any detail on that (the original argument), you will have to ask Kev."

Former England bowler Darren Gough, who retired from cricket last summer, could be set to make a shock comeback to spearhead Yorkshire's Twenty20 Cup campaign.

Yorkshire director of cricket Martyn Moxon said: "It's something we've spoken to Goughie about and something we're seriously considering. It will all depend on how much quality cricket he's played leading up to the tournament and how his body is feeling."

Fixtures (day two of four): Div One - The Rose Bowl: Hampshire 76-4 v Worcs 132. Taunton:Warwicks 189-3 v Somerset. Div Two - Chelmsford: Derbys 306-7 v Essex. Leicester: Northants 297-6 v Leics. The Oval: Gloucs 321-8 v Surrey. University matches: Fenners: Sussex 527-7 v Cambridge. The Racecourse: Durham Uni 102-1 v Durham. Canterbury: Kent 499-5 v Loughborough. The Parks: Oxford 208 v Glamorgan 74-2.