Stephen Harmison has been named in the England squad to play the second Ashes Test against Australia at Lord's on Thursday.

The Durham fast bowler is included as back-up for Andrew Flintoff, who will undergo fitness tests in the next 48 hours after injuring his right knee in the first Test.

“We have added Stephen Harmison to our squad for the next Test match as Andrew Flintoff injured his right knee at Cardiff and will undergo a precautionary scan later today," Geoff Miller, the ECB national selector, said when naming the 14-man squad.

“Andrew is experiencing soreness and swelling in the knee which he twisted while in the field and he will be reassessed by the medical staff over the next 48 hours leading up to the Test Match on Thursday.

“In the event of Andrew being unfit, we see Stephen as a like for like replacement in terms of the type of bowler he is and his ability to unsettle the opposition batsmen with pace and bounce..

“But we will need to consider all our options carefully when we come to determine the make-up of our bowling attack at Lord’s and the final decision will depend on our assessment of the pitch and the likely overhead conditions."

Miller admitted that England will need to improve if they are to get a positive result at Lord's.

“It required a tremendous effort to save the first npower Test match and no praise can be high enough for the fighting qualities shown by Paul Collingwood together with our lower order batsmen. Their application at the crease and determination to get the job done was first-rate.

“We are well aware, however, that we did not perform well in Cardiff over the five days and will need to improve in all areas of our game if we are to overcome what is a strong Australian side."

England squad for second Test:

Andrew Strauss (capt), Middlesex

James Anderson, Lancashire