England seamer Chris Woakes targets Ashes after wondering whether Test career was over

Chris Woakes is "hungry" to return to Test cricket this Ashes summer after wondering whether he would ever get back in England's red-ball team.

All-rounder Woakes last appeared for England's Test side in the West Indies in March 2022 and has not figured at home in the format since the Kia Oval clash with India in September 2021.

A knee injury prevented the seamer from featuring last summer, with the 34-year-old watching on as England won six Tests out of seven under captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum, a run that has now stretched to 10 victories from 12 following a 3-0 sweep of Pakistan and a 1-1 draw in New Zealand over the winter.

Woakes' absence will continue for this week's one-off Test against Ireland at Lord's with debutant Josh Tongue joining Stuart Broad and Matthew Potts in the XI but he is hopeful of playing some part in the Ashes, which starts at his home ground of Edgbaston on June 16.

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Asked whether he feared his Test career could be over, Woakes said: "I suppose those sorts of doubts do run through your mind a little bit.

"Whether it be through form or injury, there is always someone knocking on the door or younger players ready to come in. That is part and parcel of being at the top of your sport.

"It is an amazing feeling to be back in England colours and I am ready to give it my all.

"Whenever you get the opportunity to put the shirt on it is an opportunity to impress and contribute to wins and with a huge summer ahead you want to be a part of that."

It was great to see the guys playing with a smile on their face and playing so well. We had had some tough times before that – one win in 17 – so for them to win the matches that they have, playing the way they have, has been brilliant. Baz [Brendon McCullum] and Ben [Stokes] have bought a new lease of life to the team.

Woakes: Injuries in bowling group not a concern

James Anderson (groin) and Ollie Robinson (ankle) will sit out the Ireland Test, while Jofra Archer (elbow) and Olly Stone (hamstring) are also absent - Archer will miss the entire summer and Stone is set to be sidelined for at least the opening Ashes Test.

"If you'd have asked me a month or two ago whether I'd even be in this squad - probably not, really," said Woakes.

"Looking at the pool of fast bowlers that were available, you stick Jofra (Archer) and Olly Stone in the mix as well, I might not have been. Their misfortune means I'm here.

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"You're always hungry to play for England.

"Going through the bad times, like last summer where I was desperate to play but my body didn't let me, reminded me you have to enjoy playing. Your career is a relatively short one so make the most of it.

"We have a very good pool of fast bowlers. There have been niggles around and you imagine you are going need to tap in to that pool of fast bowlers at some point.

"As bowlers there are always niggles, you are always sore. There are some things you can play through and some you can't. With such a big series coming up, you obviously want everyone as fit as possible but I don't think it's that much of a concern.

"The injuries haven't been overly serious - other than Jofra Archer's (elbow) injury [which has ruled him out of the summer] so our thoughts are with him."

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Watch England's Test summer live on Sky Sports Cricket. The four-day Test against Ireland takes place at Lord's from Thursday with the Ashes series under way at Edgbaston from June 16.