Nottinghamshire batsman James Taylor has emerged as the leading candidate to replace Kevin Pietersen in the third Test against Australia if the England star fails to recover from injury.
Pietersen suffered a calf strain during the second test at Lord's and was unable to take the field for Australia's second innings.
The South Africa-born batsman is currently undergoing treatment ahead of the Old Trafford test, which starts next Thursday.
England's selectors have ear-marked Taylor as the man to step up in case Pietersen doesn't recover and on Wednesday it was announced the 23-year-old will temporarily switch counties and play for Sussex against Australia in a tour match this week.
The three-day game starts at Hove on Friday, with Australia looking to build up some confidence after two demoralising losses in the first and second tests.
Taylor has made two appearances for England, with the last coming against South Africa at Lord's in August last year.
