Ravi Bopara is set to play in his first Test match for almost a year after being named in England's squad to face South Africa at The Oval next week.
Bopara is one of the six batsmen in the squad, which also includes bowlers Steven Finn and Graham Onions.
Following Eoin Morgan's loss of form last winter, Bopara seemed certain to return at the start of this summer but was ruled out after injuring a thigh the day before the squad was announced for the first Test against the West Indies at Lord's.
National selector Geoff Miller said: "Ravi Bopara has worked hard to regain his place in the Test squad, following
some injury concerns earlier in the season, and is the only player included who is yet to play a Test match this summer."
England have kept their options open among the bowlers by including Finn and Onions. Both were involved in the most recent Test, a rain-ravaged draw at Edgbaston last month for which James Anderson and Stuart Broad were rested.
