After a thumping series-levelling win over India in the third Test at Headingley in Leeds, England got a further shot in the arm as both Mark Wood and Chris Woakes are back in their scheme of things for the fourth and penultimate Test beginning from Thursday at The Oval in London.

Seamer Wood had jarred his shoulder during the second Test at Lord’s, which sidelined him for the game in Leeds, while pacer all-rounder Woakes has recovered from the heel injury that kept him out of the first three Tests of the ongoing series.

“Both Wood and Woakes have come through and are looking good. Wood was bowling after the match yesterday (on Saturday). He looks fine, so he will be available for selection.

“Woakes has played recently as well, so he too becomes available,” England head coach Chris Silverwood said in a virtual media interaction on Sunday.

“Woakes has bowled well over the past week with Warwickshire without any real concerns with his heel injury. He is an asset we have been missing both with the ball and his ability to score runs in the middle order,” Silverwood added.

Wood, however, will continue to be monitored, while young quick Saqib Mahmood has been released to play for Lancashire in the County Championship match against Warwickshire starting on Monday.

Joe Root and his men, though, will be missing wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler for the next Test due to the birth of his second child. In Buttler’s absence, Jonny Bairstow is set to don the wicketkeeping gloves.

“Unfortunately, Jos will miss this Test, and we’ll then see if he returns for the final one,” Silverwood said.