Stuart Broad has injections in ankle in bid to be fit to face India

Stuart Broad will return to competitive cricket on July 22 in a bid to prove his fitness ahead of the Test series against India.

Broad was forced off the pitch during Nottinghamshire's Championship match against Worcestershire last week after experiencing pain in his left ankle. He has subsequently had several scans - none of which are understood to have shown a major problem - and a painkilling injection.

He will now rest the ankle for five days with the aim of returning to running on Tuesday. If that goes as plans, he will play in the Championship match against Surrey at Trent Bridge that starts on the 22nd. The Test series against India starts in Birmingham on August 1.

"I've had some injections in my left ankle for an ongoing ligament problem," Broad confirmed in a post on Instagram.

It leaves England with some concerns over the fitness of both their senior bowlers. James Anderson, who has been managing a shoulder problem for some time, will play two games ahead of the Test series - one a 2nd XI match and one a Championship match against Yorkshire - as he looks to prove his fitness.

Plans to select either of them for either an England Lions match against India A or in Surrey's side to play West Indies A have been abandoned.