Summary The home team are seeking to recover from a 203-run thrashing in Nottingham.
(AFP) - Jonny Bairstow is "very keen" to keep wicket for England in the fourth Test against India at Southampton despite a broken finger as the hosts look to seal the five-match series.
It was understood when England announced their 14-man squad last week that even if the Yorkshire man was passed fit to play on Thursday, he was likely to feature as a specialist batsman.
The home team are seeking to recover from a 203-run thrashing in Nottingham that cut their lead to 2-1.
But Bairstow was planning to test the injury with his wicketkeeping gloves on in training at the Ageas Bowl on Tuesday.
"The swelling has gone down," he said. "I m going to try and keep wicket in training this afternoon as well."
England have a ready-made replacement in Jos Buttler, who took over from Bairstow after the Yorkshireman injured his left middle finger, taking a delivery from James Anderson during England s heavy defeat at Trent Bridge.
"You obviously want to play, so If I m not able to keep wicket then I would like to think I ll be a specialist batsman," the 28-year-old said.
"But at the same time I m desperate to try and keep my place as the wicketkeeper.
"I m very, very keen to keep my spot as the wicketkeeper -- because I would like to think it s gone pretty well over the last 38/39 Test matches that I ve been keeping for England."
