Steve Harmison is unlikely to be bouncing anyone at Lords © Getty Images Enlarge

Steve Harmison, the England fast bowler, admits that he is unlikely to be fit for next month's first Test against Sri Lanka at Lord's on May 11.

Harmison, 27, was forced to fly home from India last month due to pain in his right shin and has yet to recover fully. He met with a specialist in Nottingham last week and admitted he had doubts over his availability for the first Test.

"Before I saw the specialist I was hopeful of playing at Lord's," Harmison is quoted as saying in the Mail on Sunday. "But the way he was talking, my gut feeling is I'm not going to be fit. I thought he might let me start running again straight away, then if all went well I could play in the county championship match against Lancashire and be ready to play in the first Test. But Professor Batts believes it is better to be cautious."

Harmison suffered from shin problems earlier in his career, and in 2000-01 he was forced to withdraw from an England A tour to the Caribbean. He has taken 159 wickets from 41 matches, and has been a star performer for England over the past few seasons. Harmison said it was his aim to work out harder and begin running next week with the second Test at Edgbaston on May 25 firmly in mind.

Sri Lanka tour England for five one-day internationals and three Tests.