Former Nottinghamshire all-rounder Graeme Swann has urged Samit Patel to take advantage of his latest opportunity with England.

Swann says the selectors should stick with Patel's Nottinghamshire team-mates Alex Hales and James Taylor.

The trio will all be involved in the squad that flies to Sri Lanka later this month.

Former Notts and England man Swann says they all have a chance to force their way into World Cup reckoning.

"This is Samit's last chance with England,” said Swann.

"He's got to let it all go and make this chance count because if he doesn't do it now then in a couple of years he'll be considered too old."

Patel is in the performance camp for the trip to Sri Lanka. He has also been named in the Lions squad for their one day games against South Africa A.

Batsmen Hales and Taylor are in the main squad for the seven one dayers against the Sri Lankans.

Swann says Hales is the perfect one day player, while Taylor is a Test must.

"I'd love to see Jimmy Taylor get in the Test team. I think he's massively underrated by the management but I'm sure with Mick Newell on the panel he'll be pushing his case," he said.

"Hales has the potential to have a cracking World Cup. He's the perfect one day player for England and bats the way they should be playing.

"They need to experiment with that side. It's the perfect way to bring through people like Alex, Jason Roy and James Vince.

"At the moment we don't look like we are going to win anything so why not look at players? You might unearth a few gems.

"Test cricket is evolving. I don't think it's changed that much but since T20 came in batsmen have got less patient.

"You don't get many draws now when you used to get loads. Now most games are over after tea on day four."