Ollie Robinson set to return for England in second Test against West Indies

Ollie Robinson is poised to make his England return in Wednesday’s second Test against West Indies in Barbados – on what is another pitch shorn of any grass – provided he gets through one last training session unscathed.

The 28-year-old missed last week’s drawn series opener in Antigua with a recurrence of the back spasms that dogged the back end of his Ashes tour but looked clear of the issue during yesterday’s voluntary training session at the Kensington Oval.

A lengthy spell bowling out in the middle will still need to be repeated by Robinson on Tuesday before a final decision is made. But with Mark Wood out of the match due to an elbow injury – and awaiting scan results that will dictate his continuation on tour – at least one change to Joe Root’s attack is on the cards.

That said, this proposed comeback for Robinson and the expectation of a true batting surface leaves England wondering whether Root has enough variety at his disposal. As such, it could be that Saqib Mahmood is handed a Test debut, adding slippery, slingy pace plus reverse swing if conditions allow.

It would then be a choice between Chris Woakes and Craig Overton as to who makes way, with both struggling for any threat last week. The latter’s similarly to Robinson in terms of stature and release point – both are 6ft 5in – may see Woakes offered one last chance to address his ailing overseas record.

Mahmood looked sharp during a session that also featured the heartening sight of Jofra Archer bowling briskly. Approaching a year since his last England appearance due to recurrent elbow stress fractures, Archer has linked up with the squad to continue his rehabilitation with an eye on a summer return.

While England trained out in the middle, Andrew