Graham Gooch "confident" of covering Kevin Pietersen

Batting coach Graham Gooch has insisted that there is enough quality to cover Kevin Pietersen's potential absence from the third Ashes Test at Old Trafford.

The 33-year-old has picked up a calf strain and is believed to be a doubt for the clash with Australia in Manchester.

However, Gooch believes that the likes of James Taylor and Nick Compton are more than capable of taking over from the number four batsman.

"The selectors will decide if they need cover, I'm confident there's some good talent. James Taylor made his England debut last year and showed up pretty well at Headingley," BBC Sport quotes him as saying.

"Nick Compton has been in the side this winter, and there will be one or two others than have done well for the Lions so they will have to look at the possible options."

The England selectors will not make a decision on Pietersen until nearer the match, which will get underway on August 1.