England [Images] coach Duncan Fletcher believes strike bowler Steve Harmison has finally found form before the fifth and final Test against South Africa starting on Friday in Centurion.

Harmison, ranked top bowler in the world before the series started but is now fifth, has only taken seven wickets in the first four matches and suffered a calf injury during England's dramatic win in Johannesburg earlier this week.

He is still not confirmed for the fifth Test but the England camp indicated on Tuesday that he would play.

"Steve made a very important contribution, especially with his opening spell," Fletcher said on Wednesday at a news conference.

"I thought the other bowlers fed off him because he gives the batsmen a hard time with the new ball and that creates a lot of pressure. It's difficult to score runs off him.

"If it wasn't for his 14 overs, the other bowlers would have been tired at the end and might not have been able to take the wickets. He gave Matthew Hoggard [Images] a breather," Fletcher said.

The England coach said the victory at the Wanderers, when South Africa were bowled out in 59.3 overs on the final day with Hoggard taking 12 wickets in all, showed the team's character.

"They showed a lot of character because they needed to play some good cricket to win heading up to the final day. Whenever we've had a lapse in form in one part of the team, other guys have put their hands up and we're still winning."

A taciturn Fletcher would not be drawn on whether England would use the same positive, aggressive method in the final Test which South Africa must win to level the series, being played 40 kilometres further north in Centurion.

"I'll tell you after the Test," Fletcher said.

The coach also said he could not comment on the fitness of all-rounder Andrew Flintoff [Images] (ankle, side) and wicketkeeper Geraint Jones (hand), as he had not spoken to the players.

Flintoff has a chronic ankle condition and may need an operation after the series, the England camp said on Tuesday.

England's 77-run victory in Johannesburg has put them 2-1 up in the series.