Sidebottom worry for England

England's push for victory in the opening npower Test against South Africa on Monday could be hindered by another back problem for strike bowler Ryan Sidebottom.

The Nottinghamshire left-arm seamer struggled through the fourth day at Lord's with the condition as South Africa, who followed on 346 behind, battled to 242 for one after a 204-run opening stand between captain Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie.

It is not the first time Sidebottom has suffered with back trouble this season having missed the Twenty20 match against New Zealand at Old Trafford and one-day internationals at Edgbaston and Bristol.

But if England are to break South Africa's resistance and seal a victory on the final day, they could do with a fully-firing Sidebottom.

"He's got a stiff back - you can see he's moving a little bit gingerly," admitted Ottis Gibson, England's bowling coach.

"But he's the way he has been ever since he's come back to Test cricket. He's not whingeing about it and has come back and got on with it - and he's bowled brilliantly again without any luck.

"It's something we'll have to keep on top of and see how he goes in this Test and for the rest of the series."

With England due to start their second Test against South Africa at Headingley on Friday, Sidebottom does not have a great deal of time to recover.

The selectors are due to announce their squad for the next Test after the finish of play later on Monday, but they may first want to look at how Sidebottom responds to another day in the field.

Lancashire all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, who was overlooked for the first Test with the selectors believing he needed more match practice, will almost certainly be in their thoughts.