Mark Wood poised for England recall for Champions Trophy
Tuesday 25 April 2017 10:00, UK
Durham pace bowler Mark Wood could return to the England fold on Tuesday morning when their Champions Trophy squad will be named.
Wood was forced to sit out England's winter programme, and has now been through three lots of ankle surgery, but he has proved his fitness with his county and is set for a recall.
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England will be naming squads for two one-day internationals against Ireland and a three-match series against summer Test opponents South Africa, as well as the ICC tournament which takes place in June at Edgbaston, Cardiff and the Kia Oval.
Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes have been given permission to miss the two games against Ireland to play in the Indian Premier League, but changes are expected to be kept to a minimum.
Captain Eoin Morgan, opener Jason Roy and wicketkeeper-batsman Sam Billings will be back from their IPL stints, and it could be the latter who takes the gloves in Buttler's absence.
Ben Duckett and David Willey could also get chances against Ireland, although there is pressure from a couple of as-yet uncapped players.
Lancashire's Liam Livingstone impressed England selector James Whitaker when he scored 168 against Somerset on Sunday, while all-rounder Tom Curran has been in decent form for Surrey, especially with the ball.
Livingstone also played well for England Lions over the winter but he may have to wait for his first international call, unless the squad suffers any absentees before the first game with Ireland on May 5 in Bristol.
After that game, England take on the Irish two days later at Lord's and then South Africa in three ODIs from May 24-29 before their opening Champions Trophy game against Bangladesh at the Kia Oval on June 1.
Morgan's side also face Australia and New Zealand in Group A.
