Hoggard's injury could hand debut to Johnson

The home dressing room at Headingley would have been a place of contrasting emotions yesterday morning following Matthew Hoggard's withdrawal from Thursday's second Test against Zimbabwe. Only 24 hours after finding out his Yorkshire team-mate Darren Gough had replaced him in England's one-day squad, Hoggard was hit by further rotten news.

After leaving the field just three balls into his bowling spell against Worcestershire on Wednesday, Hoggard was sent for a scan, the result of which - a tear to the meniscal cartilage of his right knee - is expected to keep him out for up to six weeks. Surgery has not been ruled out and he will be told of this when he sees a specialist next week.

Such news will come as a bitter blow to the 26 year-old. Following a miserable winter in Australia and South Africa, where he spent more time carrying the drinks than playing, Hoggard appeared to be moving back into top form during England's comprehensive victory over Zimbabwe at Lord's. He may have taken only three wickets, but he led England's bowling attack well and by going for only 59 runs in 33 overs proved he had learnt something from his time on the sidelines.

Competition for places amongst England's fast bowlers is fierce, even without a fully fit Gough or Andrew Caddick, and Hoggard will be fully aware that both could be up for selection when England play South Africa in July at Edgbaston.

There was, however, encouraging news over the fitness of another of Hoggard's Yorkshire colleagues. After a scan revealed no tear to his side, Anthony McGrath seems certain to hold his place in the side following an impressive 69 and three wickets on his debut.

Yet, they may not admit it, but there must be a feeling from the selectors that Andrew Flintoff ruled himself out of the reckoning for the second Test too early. The shoulder injury he sustained when hit by a beamer currently prevents the Lancashire all-rounder from bowling. However, after his second first-class century of the summer for Lancashire yesterday at Canterbury, the discomfort appears not to be affecting his batting.

Picking McGrath as a specialist batsman is fair enough after his performance at Lord's, but Flintoff is by far the better long-term prospect and the No 7 position could be put to better use if it were given to the man from the west of the Pennines.

The only dilemma facing the selectors as they contemplate their side for the first Test match to be played at the Riverside Ground, is which fast bowler to pick instead of Hoggard. With several out injured, Somerset's Richard Johnson appears the logical choice, especially after his inclusion in this week's one-day squad.

Johnson has been in wonderful form since the start of the season and, after taking 21 wickets in four championship matches with aggressive away swing bowling, he deserves his chance. This is not the first time the former Middlesex man has been in contention for an England cap. In 1995-96 he was selected for the tour of South Africa, but had to withdraw because of back problems.

He did manage to get on the plane to India in 2001 but failed to make the final XI in each of the three Tests England played. At home, he bowler has been in several England squads since his move to Somerset two years ago, but either his fitness or the vote of the selectors has not gone his way. Scoring a maiden championship hundred earlier this season may at last tip the scales in his favour, especially when one considers the batting capabilities of Stephen Harmison and James Anderson.

England may have considered taking another spinner to the north-east - the pitch has changed from being seamer friendly into an excellent surface to bat on over the last five years - but with nobody with such skills shining, the fast men can again be expected to dominate proceedings.

England XII (probable): N Hussain (Essex; capt), M E Trescothick (Somerset), M P Vaughan (Yorkshire), M A Butcher (Surrey), R W T Key (Kent), A J Stewart (Surrey, wkt), A McGrath (Yorkshire), A F Giles (Warwickshire), R L Johnson (Somerset), R J Kirtley (Sussex), S J Harmison (Durham), J M Anderson (Lancashire).