Graham Thorpe may be back for the Second Test at Lord's after his injury was finally diagnosed.

Thorpe, England's only batsman with an international average of over 40, has been out for a month with what was originally believed to be a bad calf strain. However, it has since been discovered that there is some bleeding in the muscles, which causes regular cramps. He is currently resting his leg completely and taking anti-inflammatory drugs, though should his calf not respond to this treatment then a minor operation may be necessary.

The Surrey batsman, however, is hoping that surgery will be avoided. "I don't want to even entertain that idea at the moment," he said in his column on the Channel 4 website. "It's just one of those injuries that is very difficult to treat. The medics are saying I will be okay by the middle of the month but they are guessing a little bit."

"As things stand now I'm aiming to be back playing in two weeks' time which will make me available for the Lord's Test," he goes on. However, he realises that "time is short and I could well go into that Test match not having faced a ball in competitive cricket for six weeks. That would not be ideal preparation to face Glenn McGrath and co".

Nevertheless, he is desperate to come back to take his place in England's middle order, which creaked horribly on the first day of the First Test yesterday; "The Ashes is the pinnacle of every player's career and to be sat on the sidelines is almost as painful as the injury." Hussain's "carefully laid plans for this match have been ruined by a clutch of injuries"; now it is "down to the guys to rally around and get through it".

England players and supporters alike will be hoping that Thorpe is around to help the home side "get through it" for the Second Test in a fortnight, and Thorpe himself is confident of being there to boost England; "I'm prepared to play cold if the team needs me back in the middle order – see you at Lord's".

© CricInfo Ltd.