Plunkett ruled out of fourth Test, Finn recalled

Liam Plunkett, the England fast bowler, will miss the fourth Investec Test starting on Thursday with an ankle injury. Steven Finn replaces him in the squad for Old Trafford.

Rested from the third Test, Plunkett will now sit out the fourth with the hope of recovering in time to be in contention for the fifth and final Test at The Oval, starting on August 15.

"Liam Plunkett experienced some left ankle discomfort at the end of the second Investec Test and will miss the fourth Test as this continues to settle,'' the ECB said in a short statement on their website.

Plunkett sent down 94 overs in the opening two Tests of the India series, taking seven wickets at 41.28. He was replaced at the Ageas Bowl by Chris Jordan, who went wicketless.

Finn's recall marks a significant step in his return from a chronic loss of form that blighted his Ashes tour.

He was considered unselectable in Australia and has spent the months since back at Middlesex trying to become the bowler once touted as England's best young fast bowler.

He has not played a Test since July 2013 against Australia at Trent Bridge but has taken 90 wickets in 23 Tests at 29.40.

This season Finn has taken 44 wickets in 29.72 in Division One of the County Championship - the fourth-best haul in the competition.

His return to form had already been recognised by the ECB with his selection for England Lions' triangular one-day series with Sri Lanka A and New Zealand A. Finn's place in the Lions squad will be taken by Warwickshire seamer Boyd Rankin who also struggled on the Ashes tour but was selected for the final Test in Sydney, only to take 1 for 81.