Pietersen returns to the England squad on Wednesday © Getty Images Enlarge
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Kevin Pietersen is finally returning to the England squad but according to team-mate Graeme Swann is not guaranteed a starting place in the team.

He has been missing since the second Ashes Test in July, recovering from surgery to his right Achilles tendon, but arrives in South Africa on Tuesday before joining up with the squad on Wednesday.

Pietersen will bring much-needed experience to England as they begin a two-and-a-half month tour of South Africa, who are ranked the No.1 Test team. Following an encouraging display in the Champions Trophy and a bright start to this tour in his absence, the England selectors have a difficult task fitting Pietersen back into the side.

While Pietersen has been sidelined, Eoin Morgan and Jonathan Trott performed promisingly and demonstrated a depth that Swann admits could challenge Pietersen's place. Morgan has already impressed against South Africa with a 34-ball 67 in the Champions Trophy and made 67 in England's warm-up victory against Eagles last week. Trott meanwhile made 85 in the same game following his debut century in the last Ashes Test.

"I don't think it's a squad that's sitting there desperately hoping that other people turn up because I think we're all getting on well, we've got a very positive outlook and we've had some good performances," Swann told PA. "So Kev's just going to add to that, I don't think he's going to change it. You never know, he might even have to fight for his place when he gets here."

With Andrew Flintoff frequently missing through injury over the last four years England have been used to coping without key players. "Whenever you lose one or two of your big players, everyone else has got to step up to the plate and perform," Swann added. "Last summer they did, that last Test match everyone was saying that it had to be Andrew Flintoff's massive last game and it was Stuart Broad who took the limelight - he stepped up to the plate.

"We can't be reliant on one or two players, that's unhealthy for the team and unhealthy for English cricket. Thankfully at the minute, everyone's chipping in in their own respective areas, which is a more healthy state to be in."

England play their final warm-up match against a strong South Africa A side in Bloemfontein on Tuesday ahead of two Twenty20 internationals against South Africa at the weekend.