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The English fast bowler Mark Wood has stated he feels "quietly confident" about his fitness for the first Test of the Ashes series in Australia.

Wood has not played following a Champions Trophy loss against Afghanistan last winter and underwent surgery for a knee issue this spring.

The Champions Trophy and India series which came before was the 35-year-old's return after an elbow problem which sidelined him for many months.

"It was a frustrating summer," Wood explained. "I didn't get to play any matches and my knee, at times, when it seemed that you're just about ready, it wasn't fully recovered."

"I got knocked back a couple of times, but in the tent [training camp] it's been going well. I've had the speed gun out and my speed is increasing."

The opener of the Ashes starts on 21 November at Perth, with England aiming to win their first Test series on Australian soil in over a decade.

"Hopefully, I'm in form, delivering effectively during warm-up matches and in net sessions, and can put my hand up for the first Test," Wood continued, who last played a Test versus Sri Lanka over a year back.

"My recovery wasn't a smooth process, it's been a bit up and down, but I'm in a good position now where i'm hoping to kick on toward the match."

"I avoid making statements claiming, 'I'm fully ready, I'm set'. I feel assured at the minute and feeling a lot more positive, so I'm quietly confident."

Australian Injury Worries

At the same time, Australia's concerns over the fitness of squad members have led to player Cameron Green being replaced by Marnus Labuschagne for the ODI series with India, which starts on Sunday.

The Aussies also have concerns over the condition of captain Pat Cummins, who's been absent since July because of lumbar bone stress in his back.

"Green is unavailable for the India series having experienced low-grade side soreness at training this week," Cricket Australia said.

"He will undergo a short period of rehabilitation and is tracking to return to play in round three of domestic cricket to continue his preparation for the Ashes."

Round three of the Sheffield Shield tournament begins October 28th.