James Anderson eyeing Sri Lanka tour as England are handed timely injury boost

The loss of Jofra Archer leaves the seam-attack short ahead of the two Tests but the country's leading wicket-taker is expecting to be available

• Root eyeing five Championship run-outs for Yorkshire
• Archer out of Sri Lanka tour

England are likely to have James Anderson fit and available for next month's two-Test tour of Sri Lanka as he nears full recovery from a broken rib.

The 37-year-old pulled out of the series against South Africa after scans revealed he had suffered the blow, which he described as "the worst pain" he's been through on a cricket field.

But the nature of the injury means Anderson has been able to make speedy progress which could see him back in action as early as next month.

"It's good, it's all healed," Anderson told Sky Sports. "I've been training for a few weeks now, getting my bowling back up to speed, and I feel really good."

News that Anderson is nearing full fitness is a welcome boost for England, particularly after Jofra Archer was ruled out for three months with a stress fracture to his right elbow.

Archer will therefore not travel to Sri Lanka or play in Indian Premier League, where he was due to represent Rajasthan Royals.

The 24-year-old's absence was set to leave England short of fast-bowling options for their trip to the sub-continent, where spinners are likely to dominate.

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Nevertheless, Anderson - a veteran of 584 Test scalps - is targetting being available for selection for the tour.

"That's the aim," he added. "The aim for me is to get fit for whatever is next and at the moment that is Sri Lanka.

"With a broken bone you are just waiting for that to heal, you've not lost any fitness.

"It's just about building my bowling back up now, we've still got a month before that tour so we have to just wait and see what the selectors think."

Sam Curran, Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes and Mark Wood are also in contention for the matches in Galle starting on March 19 and Colombo, which begins on March 27.