Sidebottom handed Swann backing

Injured England seamer Ryan Sidebottom is remaining in high spirits, according to Nottinghamshire team-mate Graeme Swann.

Sidebottom has suffered another setback in his battle against injury problems to force his way back into England's one-day and Test side.

The left-arm bowler was in contention for a recall to the one-day line-up for the third match in their seven match series with India, at Green Park tomorrow, when he suffered some untimely discomfort to his lower back.

Ryan Sidebottom experienced discomfort in his lower back after bowling in training today

He had a scan but the results are inconclusive, and England are monitoring his movements before deciding on the next course of action.

Sidebottom’s previous problems have included side and Achilles injuries, sidelining him from all international cricket since facing South Africa in the third Test at Edgbaston last August.

Swann, who has been included in a 12-man match squad for the Kanpur-clash, believes Sidebottom is dealing well with his spell on the sidelines.

“He's having a bit of an unlucky run," said Swann.

“He got injured during the summer and had a long rehabilitation trying to get back.

“It's a bit like Michael Owen back home - it's taken him so long to get back from a serious injury, and little niggles are keeping him out.

“As far as I'm concerned, I'm desperate to see Ryan playing again because he's one of my best mates - and I think English cricket needs that sort of haircut in the team.

“He's obviously down but he's the sort of character that can easily be distracted with an episode of ‘Max and Paddy’ or something like that, so it's not hard to keep his spirits up.

“He's just desperate like everyone else in the squad to get into the team and perform for England."

Graeme Swann compared Sidebottom's injuries to those suffered by Newcatle striker Michael Owen

England are due to link up with the performance programme squad when they travel to Bangalore on Friday - with players like Tim Bresnan, Sajid Mahmood and Liam Plunkett waiting in the wings should Sidebottom fail to recover.

Sidebottom is yet to play a competitive match since England's arrival in India, having sustained Achilles problems during the trip to Antigua for the Stanford Series.

But speaking at the start of the tour, he was confident of coming back strongly and regaining his place.

"I've had a bad time with injuries. But there's nothing you can do about it - you've just got to get on with it,” he said.

“I've been consistent and I've really enjoyed my time with England and I want to carry on playing international cricket. I'm part of the squad and I've got to fight for my place again."