Jones has India in his sights

Simon Jones chats to the media at the National Academy © Getty Images

England's Simon Jones, who earlier this month was ruled out of the tour to Pakistan owing to an injured ankle, is confident of being fit and available for England's tour to India in February.

Jones, 26, was speaking to reporters at the ECB Academy, where he is undergoing recuperation following surgery to his ankle. He said missing the tour of Pakistan was "a sickening blow," but is pleased with his progress:

"I feel really good. I had the operation on the 6th, and there's no real swelling. I've been doing what I've been told - resting," he said.

Although clearly disappointed at missing out on the Pakistan tour, where his reverse-swing would have been of particular importance to England, Jones was realistic about his injury - especially considering the horrific and career-threatening knee injury he suffered in 2003: "You want to play in as many Tests as possible," he said. "Missing the Pakistan tour is a sickening blow but I've been back from a lot worse. My ankle's feeling good but I'm not going to rush back. There's plenty of time before the India tour."