Vaughan set to miss Sri Lanka series after recovery setback

Vaughan, who injured his right knee and missed the first Test against Pakistan, then played in pain through the next two, said yesterday: "Two weeks ago it was getting to the stage that I was close to playing. This Sunday against Northamptonshire in a C&G match was potentially a chance of me playing, but there has been a little bit of a setback. If I miss another two weeks of the season because of that and it makes me stronger, it will be a good decision."

A further fortnight would take Vaughan up to the second Test in this series, and the third follows it, back-to-back. Vaughan would barely have time to play any cricket for his county, Yorkshire. The setback also throws doubt over the rest of the summer and the four-Test series against Pakistan.

Vaughan was reluctant to set a date for his comeback. "It is very difficult to put a time span on it," he said. "People have to be patient. I have to be patient. When I do come back I want it to be with confidence and for a long time, not just for a short period."

He insisted that the knee was improving: "It's slow progress at the moment. Rehabilitation on a knee which has been a problem for a while must be right. It has been gradual since I got back from India.

"There is damage in the knee now, but the specialists I have been speaking to have told me that will get better over time. All the training I am doing is towards making sure I can withstand that. I have actually got muscles in my legs for the first time for a long time. You might have to get a microscope to see them but they are there.

"At the minute I have not been able to do the twisting and turning at pace without feeling a little bit of aggravation. I can only do it at 50 or 60 per cent. It is frustrating that I can bat in the nets, but not out in the middle.

"It would be silly to put myself forward for a game of cricket. I have to tick all the right boxes to make sure I can withstand a real tough game of cricket," Vaughan added.