Conway: England injury situation improving despite Cork scare

Dominic Cork was taken to hospital for a precautionary x-ray after being hit on the finger while batting in the nets.

The England all-rounder was hit by a beamer from a local net bowler on his left index finger, and was taken to hospital after a inspection from the team physio, Dean Conway.

"Everything seemed pretty straight but you never know about these things, there could be a hairline fracture so we sent him off for an x-ray," Conway explained.

"We will have to check on it tomorrow before the game but we are hopeful it is only bruising and he will be able to play."

England will be awaiting news of Cork's finger anxiously. They already have several injury worries with just two weeks to go before the start of the Ashes series.

Conway also revealed the current situation with Graham Thorpe, Nasser Hussain, Ashley Giles and Craig White.

"He's continuing with his treatment and slowly rehabilitating and he will not be fit for Thursday," Conway said about Thorpe. "With the start of the Ashes so close we're looking at him to get enough cricket in before the first Test but we will have to review that on a day-to-day basis. We are trying to be careful with him so he doesn't do too much too soon and suffer a setback."

Of Hussain Conway said: "He's practised and fielded and the plan is for him to carry on with that when he joins up with Essex at Old Trafford."

Hussain batted in the nets today. "He's had one or two throw-downs and one very easy net so far but this was his first proper practice against top-class bowling," Conway explained. "He's progressing really well but we're also trying to hold him back a little so he doesn't do too much too soon."

Conway described White and Giles as "progressing nicely" and stated that: "we are hopeful of having a fully-fit squad to choose from when we assemble for the first Test."