Fletcher cautious about Vaughan's return

Michael Vaughan's possible return for the Tests is still an optimistic bet, according to Duncan Fletcher © Getty Images

Duncan Fletcher, the England coach, has again tried to calm talk about Michael Vaughan making an early comeback during the Ashes series. Following England's defeat at Brisbane, Vaughan left the squad and flew to Perth to join up with the Academy and is aiming to play against Western Australia 2nd XI on Wednesday.

Various comeback dates for Vaughan have been thrown around during the opening weeks of the Ashes tour, ranging from the third Test at Perth to the one-day series which follows in January. Now, with his playing return imminent, the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne is being suggested.

However, Fletcher still refuses to look too far ahead. "I don't think he can play in this Test series, at this stage," he told reporters. "We're still planning to have him hopefully for the one-dayers and if anything comes earlier than that then well and good."

If Vaughan comes through Wednesday's one-day match his next outing could be the two-day game against Western Australia between the Adelaide and Perth Tests. England are expected to use a number of their reserve players in that match.

But Fletcher still feels that Vaughan would need to play a few more matches to prove his fitness and merit a place in the side. While Vaughan was with the squad in Brisbane he took part in a fielding session and batted in the nets. If he plays on Wednesday it will be his first competitive match since June when he lined-up for Yorkshire in the County Championship.

"I'm not going to say when he's going to play [for England] again until he's played some games of cricket and he's come out and he's 100 percent, " added Fletcher. "We've spoken a lot to [him], like I do with other senior players. He seems to be pretty positive, he's working hard at his game, he had a couple of nets sessions."