JAMES Foster is ready to roar back into international cricket after winning a call-up to the England Lions squad.

The Essex wicket-keeper has been drafted in after Worcestershire counterpart Steven Davies suffered a knee injury.

The Lions will compete in India's premier domestic competition, the Duleep Trophy, playing a three-day practice match in Mumbai before taking on Central Zone and West Zone in two four-day games in Baroda.

Foster's return marks the end of more than five years in the international wilderness for the Whipps Cross-born gloveman, who last pulled on an England shirt in the Boxing Day Test match against Australia in December 2002.

Since then, he has often been touted for a re-call to the Test arena, only for the selectors to plump for a long succession of other wicket-keepers - Chris Read, Geraint Jones, Paul Nixon, Phil Mustard, Matt Prior and now Tim Ambrose - instead.

A fortnight ago, chairman of selectors David Graveney admitted Foster was "unlucky" to miss out on a place in England's squad for next month's three-Test tour of New Zealand.

But now the Essex vice-captain, who has seven Test and 11 One-Day International caps, has been handed a chance to prove him wrong.

"Being involved with the England Lions puts players in the shop window for the full team so it's good to be in there showing what I have to offer," said Foster, who has spent his winter working with youngsters at his new James Foster Coaching school.

"It's been a long time since I've had some England recognition but I never gave up hope.

"I've always trained hard since then to be recognised and with Steven Davies pulling out through injury it's nice to be next in line.

"India is a tough place to tour but I've been there several times before, with England and on the Graham Gooch Scholarship Scheme to Mumbai. People are so enthusiastic out there so I'm looking forward to getting out there and performing."

Foster has been joined in the Lions squad by two fast bowlers - Gloucestershire's Steve Kirby and Nottinghamshire's Charlie Shreck - following an injury to Worcestershire's Kabir Ali, but Lancashire all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has confirmed that he will not be joining the squad as a specialist batsman.

The squad are due to fly to Mumbai tomorrow, Wednesday, before starting their tour against CCI on January 29.