England are considering fast-tracking Steven Finn into their starting line-up for the first Test against Bangladesh.

Finn, 20, joined the squad only on Saturday as cover but the Middlesex seam bowler impressed against Bangladesh A this week and could be handed a surprise Test debut in place of the injured Graham Onions.

"He's [Finn] been added to the party and he's a contender for selection," Andy Flower, the England team manager, said. "He's bowled with pace on a slow pitch and bowled with accuracy. He's quite a good prospect."

Finn, who appears to have leapfrogged Liam Plunkett and Ajmal Shahzad in the pecking order, would provide support for Stuart Broad, who has struggled with a back problem of late.

Finn's promotion could come at the expense of James Tredwell, the spin bowler, leaving Graeme Swann as the only spinner in the starting XI. Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood would thus be asked to support the bowling attack.

Flower, however, added that he had been impressed by Tredwell, who took eight wickets against Bangladesh A. "He's got a bit of confidence and, if we decided to play two spinners in the Test, he's feeling good about himself," Flower said.

Onions bowled in the nets during the three-day warm-up match this week, which ended in a draw, but was ruled out of the series after his back spasms failed to improve. An MRI scan showed no underlying structural damage.

Broad, whose ability as an lower-order batsman makes him important to the balance of the team, bowled at almost full-pace in the nets yesterday.