James Anderson refuses to give up on Ashes return

James Anderson is not "giving up" on an Ashes return this series despite sustaining an injury in the first Test.

The 37-year-old bowled only four overs at Edgbaston before a calf injury forced him off the field, limiting him to two brief appearances as a batsman.

Anderson said he "felt very guilty" and apologised to his team-mates, as revealed during the Test by new-ball partner Stuart Broad.

"The thought of more time away from the game is driving me nuts," Anderson told The Sun. "I haven't thought about giving up. My body feels great everywhere else, I'm as fit as I've ever been.

He added: "It's hard to say when I might play again but it won't be for a while.

"My focus now is to get better and try everything possible to play a role later in the series. I'm sure there will come a point where other bowlers either get injured or need a rest.

"I certainly have no intention of giving up. If I don't play against Australia, then the winter tours to New Zealand and South Africa are the next target."

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Anderson, England's record wicket-taker with 575 in Tests, was selected for the series opener despite not having featured for Lancashire since he first suffered the injury against Durham in early July.

That situation will not be repeated - raising the prospect of Anderson emulating Jofra Archer by playing a second XI game for his county.

Archer took 6-27 and hit 108 for Sussex's second string against Gloucestershire on Tuesday to stake his claim as Anderson's replacement in the second Test at Lord's.

Anderson said: "The England management want me to play some cricket before I return for a Test match. So I'll have to schedule that as well, which is not so easy because it is mainly Twenty20 matches at the moment."

Watch the second Ashes Test between England and Australia at Lord's from 10am, August 14 on Sky Sports The Ashes and Main Event.