England Cricket / Editor / 05 May 2007 /

England are expected to dominate their early-season encounters with the West Indies and Marcus Trescothick's likely return would boost their chances ever further.

The Somerset man's future in the international game was thrown into question when he returned home early from the Ashes tour with a 'stress-related illness' but he has begun the domestic season in confident mood and hopes to feature for the national side as the season progresses.

England are strong 1.28 favourites to beat the Windies (9.2) in their four-match series, with a drawn series offered at 6.4, but their preparation has been hit with the news that skipper Michael Vaughan is doubtful for the first two Tests after breaking his finger while on county duty with Yorkshire.

Trescothick could be the man to come into the side but, although confident of playing and touring with England again, the 31-year-old is wary of rushing back into the limelight before he is mentally ready.

"I don't accept my England days are over and I don't accept I will never tour again," he told the Daily Mirror.

"Sure, I'm going to have to cope with the problems of touring differently, and that's part of the healing process.

"But much as I would love to tell them I'm fully fit and playing nicely, I can't jump straight back into playing for England. It wouldn't be fair to me or to the team.

"I don't want to go through the problems I've had before, where I just become a shambles, and there's no rush. I'm 31 and there's plenty of time to get it right."

Trescothick had been a virtual ever-present in the England side since making his debut against this summer's opponents back in 2000 and, if selected, could be one to follow in the Top Runscorer market when it opens, as he will be desperate to show the English public that he is far from spent as a top-flight opening batsman.

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