Johannesburg: Injured England all-rounder Paul Collingwood has said he has a very good chance of returning to action in Friday's opening One-Day International against South Africa.
The former captain injured his back in England's Twenty20 international against South Africa last week and missed the second match as well as the warm-up game with South Africa A in Potchefstroom.
"I've been progressing really well. It was very sore on Sunday and I had two injections on Monday," Collingwood said in Johannesburg on Wednesday.
"It seems to have all settled down and I did some work in the gym today. I would have been 50/50 if I had to play today, so I think there's a very good chance of me playing on Friday."
If he plays, Collingwood will break the record for the most One-day appearances for England, which he currently shares with former wicketkeeper/batsman Alec Stewart with 170.
"The game is forever changing, it's a lot more powerful now and I've needed to become fitter and also make changes to my technique," Collingwood added.