Last updated: 5th July 2008
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
Quotes of the week
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.
"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.
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.
"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."

All the best images from day four of play between the England Lions and Australia at New Road.
All the action from day one of the first Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan in Galle.
All the best images from day three of play between the England Lions and Australia at New Road.
All the best images from day three of play between the England XI and Warwickshire at Edgbaston.
All the best images from day four of play between the England Lions and Australia at New Road.
| Fixture |
|---|
| Saturday 4th July |
| Test Match First Test Match |
| Sri Lanka vs Pakistan |
| Tour Match Four Day Match |
| England Lions vs Australia |
| Varsity Match 1 Day Annual Varsity Match |
| Oxford UCCE vs Cambridge UCCE |
| Sunday 5th July |
| Friends Provident Friends Provident Semi Final |
| Lancashire vs Hampshire |
| Sussex vs Gloucestershire |
| One Day Int Fourth Match |
| West Indies vs India |
| Women's ODI 4th Match |
| England Women vs Australia Women |
| Monday 6th July |
| U-19 Test Series 1st Match |
| England Under 19 vs Bangladesh Under 19 |
| Tuesday 7th July |
| County Championship - Div 1 |
| Warwickshire vs Sussex |
| County Championship - Div 2 |
| Northamptonshire vs Derbyshire |
| Result |
|---|
| Friday 3rd July |
| County Championship - Division One |
| Somerset vs Yorkshire Somerset won by 4 wickets. |
| Nottinghamshire vs Lancashire Match Drawn |
| Durham vs Worcestershire Durham won by 5 wickets. |
| County Championship - Division Two |
| Middlesex vs Surrey Match Drawn |
| Kent vs Gloucestershire Kent won by 76 runs. |
| Derbyshire vs Leicestershire Match Drawn |
| Friendly Match |
| Warwickshire vs England Match Drawn |
| One Day International Series |
| West Indies vs India India won by 6 wickets. (Revised target - Duckworth-Lewis system) |
| Women's One Day International Series |
| England Women vs Australia Women England Women won by 2 wickets. |
| Tuesday 30th June |
| Women's One Day International Series |
| England Women vs Australia Women England Women won by 55 runs. |
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