Anderson eyeing comeback in second Test

James Anderson only arrived in India on Tuesday night but he retains hopes of being fit to play in the second Test against India.

Anderson has not played a game since August having suffered a stress fracture in his right shoulder. But, having been cleared to join the tour last week, he is now keen to prove himself in the nets over the coming days and stake a claim for selection for the Test starting in Visakhapatnam on November 17.

"I had a good week at Loughborough last week, bowling to get some overs under my belt," Anderson told Sky Sports. "Hopefully I can keep that going this week and get some miles into my legs to make sure I'm as fit as I can be and maybe be fit for the second Test.

"It is still over a week away so it is hard to say for sure right now. It all depends how the week goes, but I'm sure in the next two or three days we'll have an idea of whether that is a possibility or not.

"At the tender age of 34 I've got enough experience to get into match mode quite quickly. Obviously it is not always easy without having any games under my belt, but I think I am able to do that."

While it remains more likely that Anderson will return to the side for the third or fourth Tests, he has been encouraged by the speed of his recent recovery.

"We initially thought maybe the fourth Test was a possibility, but the way I've progressed over the last three or four weeks has been positive," Anderson said. "I had a stress fracture of the shoulder blades at the back of my shoulder. It was a bit weird. I think it was just workload thing. I injured the muscle against Sri Lanka in May. The stress fracture has healed now and hopefully that will last.

"I bowled 30 overs last week and now it is just about carrying that on and maybe upping the intensity a little bit. The rest is just standing around and getting those miles in the legs and being used to being on your feet for seven or eight hours a day."

Despite being unable to take part in the first Test - Anderson was given Wednesday off and will bowl in the nets in Rajkot on Thursday - he was delighted to be at the ground to see Stuart Broad awarded a silver cap by Andrew Strauss to mark his 100th Test.

"I thought I was going to miss it but it is great that I got out here in time and saw him get his cap from Straussy," Anderson said. "It's an amazing achievement. He's been a fantastic bowler for years and I've been fortunate enough to play in the majority of his Tests as well. We talk a lot about the game, we know each other's game inside out and we talk a lot on the field.

"We've developed a great friendship on and off the field and I'm just delighted that I'm here."