Matthew Hoggard too out of first Test

London: England seam bowler Matthew Hoggard is doubtful for Thursday's first Test against Pakistan after suffering a freak injury.

The Yorkshireman needed six stitches after being spiked in his bowling hand by the boot of team mate Tim Bresnan while practising before the start of the third day of the match between England A and Pakistan at Canterbury on Saturday.

"Hopefully I can bowl enough during the few days that are left before the Test to convince myself I am fit to play," Hoggard told Sky Sports.

"It has been a tough summer, we've had a lot of injuries and hopefully I'm not going to add to the list."

England captain Michael Vaughan, Ashley Giles, Simon Jones and James Anderson are long-term injury victims while stand-in skipper Andrew Flintoff will miss the first Test due to a heel injury.

Fast bowler Steve Harmison was sidelined for the recent drawn Test series against Sri Lanka while Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood were forced to miss two matches in the 5-0 One-Day series whitewash at the hands of Mahela Jayawardene's team.

Opening batsman Andrew Strauss will lead England in the first Test at Lord's.