CRICKET: Caddick back - with a problem.

BOWLER Andrew Caddick will join up with the England squad for the first time in two months tomorrow knowing he now has a genuine rival for his position.

With both Caddick and Darren Gough, England's established new-ball pair for the last four years, sidelined for the last few weeks, the selectors have had to rely on the exuberance of youth to carry them to a first Test victory over India at Lord's and a draw at Trent Bridge.

But with Caddick now restored to the squad which will assemble at Headingley tomorrow for this week's third Test after six weeks on the sidelines with a rib muscle injury, he knows he now has real competition for his place.

Youngsters Simon Jones and Steve Harmison have both impressed in his absence, but the player who has really thrived on the responsibility has been Yorkshire seamer Matthew Hoggard, who has claimed 12 wickets in the two Tests which Caddick has missed.

Hoggard's resurgence followed a shaky start to the campaign, particularly during the triangular one-day series, when he struggled to find a consistent line and length.

Caddick is expected to lead the attack alongside Hoggard having come into the squad as a replacement for Yorkshire's Craig White, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the summer with an abdominal strain.

All-rounder Andrew Flintoff, another key contributor to England's recent success, has been diagnosed as having a hernia by specialists.

England want Flintoff to make one final appearance this season at Headingley before undergoing surgery, but he faces a stringent fitness test tomorrow before his participation in the third Test is confirmed.