England opener Jason Roy will be given until the last moment to prove his fitness for Sunday’s crucial World Cup showdown with India.
Roy is working his way back from a hamstring tear which has forced him to miss the games against Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Australia, but is being assessed on a daily basis ahead of the Edgbaston encounter.
An ECB spokesman said: “Jason Roy is making good progress from his hamstring injury. He is being assessed every day. Yesterday he batted in the nets and was also running shuttles on the outfield.
“A decision on whether he’ll be fit to resume against India will be made when we train on Friday and Saturday at Edgbaston.”
Roy is one of a series of fitness concerns with the hosts facing a fight to make the semi-finals after back-to-back defeats by Sri Lanka and Australia.
Leg-spinner Adil Rashid came into the tournament with a shoulder problem and reported soreness after Tuesday’s defeat by Australia, although he is not thought to be a doubt for the weekend.
The spokesman said: “Adil Rashid has some soreness to his right shoulder. He will be assessed over the next few days but he is expected to be available for selection on Sunday.”
England also have a concern over paceman Jofra Archer, but all-rounder Ben Stokes, who underwent treatment for a calf problem on the pitch at Lord’s, will be available.
The spokesman continued: “Jofra Archer has tightness to his left side and will continue to be assessed ahead of the India match.
“Ben Stokes sustained tight calves in yesterday’s match. He will be fit for Sunday’s match. He felt better after the game.”
Jonny Bairstow believes his opening partner Roy is “raring to go”.
He added to Sky Sports News: “Naturally he is frustrated. It’s never ideal to pick an injury up but to pick one up in the middle of a World Cup is definitely frustrating for him. He has been working hard to get back fit to be available for selection.”
Bairstow has not written off England’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals, with big games against India and New Zealand left in the group stage.
He added: “To lose at Lord’s is desperately disappointing. We bowled well to restrict them to that score and it was chaseable but lost early wickets which made it very difficult.
“There is no panic stations. We have played India before and been very successful against them, likewise with New Zealand, so we are looking forward to the next two games.
“If we do well in them we effectively have four must-win games all the way through to the end of the tournament. That’s really exciting.”
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