Stokes doubt for second Test with knee injury

Ben Stokes is a doubt for the second Test against Sri Lanka, on his home ground at Chester-le-Street, after suffering a knee injury at Headingley. Alastair Cook, England's captain, said Stokes "doesn't look good" and that back-up would be added to the squad.

Stokes took to the field at the start of day three but, after a few overs, reported discomfort and returned to the dressing-room for treatment. He did not bowl as England wrapped up an innings-and-88-run victory but remained at the ground.

He had briefly left the field for treatment on day two after jarring his left knee while bowling. He later returned and bowled a few more overs which, in retrospect, may have been a mistake. The second of back-to-back Tests starts on Friday, with England's three-day win providing valuable extra time off. There were indications that the management would give Stokes every chance to recover, although Cook wasn't hopeful.

"He doesn't look good for Durham," Cook said of Stokes. "He'll have a scan tomorrow. We will certainly add to the squad. Even if he's named there will be a risk.

"We don't know. He has something in his knee and is not 100 per cent right. It took a major shoulder thing for him to leave the pitch in Abu Dhabi so for him to not feel right is not great. But you never know."

The England selectors will meet in the next day or so, with Chris Woakes one of those who might be considered a potential replacement. While he is not Stokes - England have been looking for such a player since the retirement of Ian Botham - he is averaging 61 with the bat and 26.64 with the ball in this year's County Championship.

Another option would be for Bairstow, who made a century in England's first innings at Headingley, and Moeen Ali to move up a position in the batting order and select Jake Ball as a fourth seamer. Paul Farbrace, England's assistant coach, said that both those options - an allrounder being called up or an extra seamer - would be considered.