Injured Swann vows to 'be fine' for World Cup

Injured England off-spinner Graeme Swann revealed that he has battled for long with the back problem that put him out of the One-Day series against Australia, but insisted he will be fit for the upcoming World Cup in the subcontinent.

Swann flew back to England from Australia in the middle of the ongoing bilateral one-day series after he was ruled out of the rest of the tour following severe back spasm.

The spinner is also nursing a knee injury which had kept him out of action since January 16.

wann, who is currently second in the ICC Test rankings said, "I've had a bad back for years and, every now and again, it gives me problems. But I know from previous experience that I'll definitely be fine for the World Cup from the start.

"It happened when I was getting changed in Hobart. I bent down and felt a twinge, there was nothing more to it than that.

"It's improved already but would not be 100 per cent right to play in any of the remaining one-dayers," Swann told The Sun.

The bowler will join his wife, Sarah, and will remain at home to attend the birth of their first child before flying to India on February 22, two days before England's World Cup opener against Holland in Nagpur.

Swann, who is set to miss England's warm-up matches, though pointed out, "Once I'm fit again, I'll join in with Notts' winter training.

"It's been a long tour away and it's taking its toll on a number of players. I'm not worried about the back. The first time it happened in my career, I was frantic. But it doesn't feel as bad as it did then."

The bowler, however, was satisfied with his performance Down Under and said, "...I have some great memories -- winning the Ashes will stay with me forever."

England have been left with spate of injuries as they look ahead to vie for an elusive World Cup trophy.

Fast bowler Tim Bresnan, who made his mark with the ball during the team's successful Ashes campaign, starts off as a big doubt as he has a torn calf muscle.

Stuart Broad, who tore a stomach muscle during the second Test is back with the team but is unlikely to play in any of the remaining ODI's.

Emphasising on the team's expanding injury list ahead of the mega event coach Andy Flower said, "Not only do we play high intensity international cricket but we also train at high intensity.

"There are serious demands on these guys. We're almost three months into this tour and it's not surprising there are injuries," Flower added.