England skipper Andrew Strauss has told Monty Panesar to focus on his strengths as he attempts to address his poor form heading into the Ashes.

Panesar has been working with England's new spin-bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed to add more variety to his game - his major shortcoming according to Shane Warne.

Warne has accused the 27-year-old of failing to improve since making his debut in 2006 but Strauss is concerned that adjustments to his style may prove counter productive.

"Monty has been working on variations but the reality is that he has taken 99% of his wickets bowling a very good left arm spinner that turns and has decent pace on it," he said.

"That's his default and he shouldn't stray too far from it. It's like me trying to bat like Brian Lara - it won't work.

"It's important that he just does what he does well and if he does that he's going to be a handful.

"I've spoken to Monty and he's been in contact with Mushtaq Ahmed. When you go through a bit of a rough patch you question what you are doing.

"I've got a lot of hope that he will come through and be an exceptional talent."