Vaughan: Dismissed any concerns over his fitness

I am really looking forward to the challenge because I think it has come at the right time for us to be tested against probably one of the top two teams in the world as we speak

England captain Michael Vaughan
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England captain Michael Vaughan is adamant he will be fit not just for the first Test against South Africa but the entire four-match series.

The Yorkshire batsman received treatment on his troublesome right knee following the LV County Championship defeat to Durham this week, raising concerns over his availability for Lord's.

However, he has since had an Ostinol injection to try and ease the problem, which he insists is nothing too major, so he will be ready to lead his country.

Vaughan's knee has been operated on four times throughout his career but he has played 15 Tests in a row since coming back from an 18-month absence.

Nothing new

"It is nothing new, nothing different, I have just learned how to manage it," a confident Vaughan said.

"When you have a chronic knee, there are going to be odd days when it doesn't feel as good as others and the good thing about it is I know how to manage that situation.

"I have no doubt whatsoever I will play a full part in the series and move like I did against New Zealand, which was very, very well.

"The knee is as it has been for the last year, it has obviously been aggravated a bit over the last few weeks but we have had those kind of periods over that last year and I have managed to play all the Test matches.

"I have no fear I won't be able to do the same, starting on Thursday, and then all the Test matches against South Africa."

With his fitness not a concern, Vaughan will instead be focusing his attentions on the prospect of facing a strong South Africa side led by Graeme Smith.

Challenge

The Proteas will look to hit the hosts with plenty of pace and the England skipper believes the series will provide his team with the perfect preparation ahead of next year's Ashes.

"I am really looking forward to the challenge because I think it has come at the right time for us to be tested against probably one of the top two teams in the world as we speak," Vaughan said.

"This has not got the little urn to play for but this series is up there with the biggest in the world.

"Australia is just a year away and this is just the kind of side we want to be playing. At the moment the Aussies seem a long way away because this series should be special."

England's selectors have resisted the temptation to recall Andrew Flintoff for the Lord's Test which gets underway on Thursday.

The Lancashire all-rounder has only just returned following a side strain but Vaughan feels he will soon be back in international action, possibly as early as the second Test.

Committed

"It will be a real positive for the team," said Vaughan. "Neither do I think the team needs freshening up whatsoever because they are a really committed bunch.

"But everyone will be playing next week with the knowledge that Andrew Flintoff will have to be fitted into this England team when he's available, fit and ready to play.

"That should drive you on, to make sure you're not that one person who misses out.

"I am delighted that he is back playing, give him at least another week and maybe he will play in the second if not the third game."