Notts spinner Graeme Swann is confident that he’ll be fit to take his place in the England side to face West Indies in the fourth Test in Barbados on Thursday.

Swann took 8 wickets in the draw in Antigua and is keen to prove his fitness having displaced Monty Panesar.

Floating bone in Swann’s elbow has caused him considerable discomfort in the build up to the fixture but with Andrew Flintoff ruled out through injury and Matt Prior returning to England to be with his newborn son, he is keen to avoid the need for a third enforced change.

“My arm decided it didn’t like cricket three or four years ago and little bits of bone are floating around in there and every now and again they get in the wrong place and restrict the movement,” said Swann.

“It’s normally very manageable but after the last Test a ropey piece of bone decided it was going to cause havoc for a couple of days. It’s very annoying and I’ve had an operation before to take things out. It can be cured by rest, ice and intensive physiotherapy but at some stage I’ll perhaps need another operation.

“The only way I won’t play is if I feel that I can’t do the job that I’ve been picked to do but I’m confident that I’ll be able to. Mentally, I’m 100% there and I’m hopeful that I’ll be physically ready to go come Thursday morning.”