Injured England batsman Mark Butcher says he still thinks he has a future in Test cricket but knows he faces a battle to regain his place.

The number three was forced to quit the tour of South Africa last week with a wrist injury after playing in the first two Tests and has been replaced in the team by Robert Key. Ian Bell has also flown out as cover.

"I don't think it is over by any stretch of the imagination. At 32 you are not by any means too old to play international cricket," he told BBC radio on Sunday.

"I know I am going to be back in the pack. They are going to want to give Robert Key or whoever else a little bit of a run in the side and I have got to make sure I am ready and in top form for when the time comes."

Butcher also struggled with injury in 2004, missing the home series against West Indies with neck and thigh injuries.