England's James Anderson optimistic over swift return as he targets first Test against South Africa

Jimmy Anderson believes he may be fit for England’s opening Test of the summer against South Africa despite a torn thigh muscle.

England’s leading wicket-taker in Tests sustained the injury while playing for Lancashire against Yorkshire earlier this month, and was assessed by ECB medics this week. At this stage, Anderson will not undergo surgery but will continue to work closely with medical staff, at Lancashire and with England.

Conservative estimates put Anderson’s absence between four and six weeks, with England’s opening Test against the Proteas starting at Lord’s on July 6.

Yet the 34-year-old is thought to be optimistic he will make a quick recovery and has even targeted a comeback for Lancashire before the game at Lord’s.

Lancashire’s final County Championship match before the First Test is against Warwickshire at Edgbaston, starting on June 26.

Meanwhile, England will assess Ben Stokes on Thursday and on Friday before deciding whether to use him in Saturday’s one-day international against South Africa at Southampton.

The all-rounder bowled only two overs in Wednesday’s 72-run win over South Africa at Headingley, after complaining of soreness in his left knee. Stokes had surgery on that knee after damaging in during the Leeds Test against Sri Lanka last May.

Stokes was given medication and spent six overs on the sidelines, and did not bowl again despite returning to fielding duties. Captain Eoin Morgan insisted Stokes would have been fit to bowl if required, and played down concerns about his star man’s condition with the Champions Trophy starting a week on June 1.

Yet Morgan may decide not to risk Stokes either at Southampton or in the final match of the series, at Lord’s two days later. The 25-year-old is simply too important to England’s prospects of lifting the trophy to justify gambling on his fitness.

Morgan himself appears in excellent form ahead of the tournament, which England open against Bangladesh at The Kia Oval. His 107 at Headingley was his third one-day hundred this year and helped England reached 339 for six, a total South Africa never looked like threatening after Hashim Amla and Faf Du Plessis were dismissed in successive overs.

Morgan said: “I’ve felt in good form since the Big Bash in the winter, and felt the same against India and then Ireland. I’ve never gone through a period as long as this where I have been able to keep it up. It might be due to my experience, but I am feeling good.”