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London: Discarded Australia opener Phillip Hughes says he is still preparing for next week's Ashes series decider at The Oval just in case he is needed.
Arriving in the United Kingdom as one of the most exciting batsman on the planet, the 20-year-old was dumped after just three innings in the Ashes series.
His replacement Shane Watson has quickly nailed down the opening spot with three straight half centuries but Hughes said he remained in a positive frame of mind.
"The big thing is the tour's not over yet. There's still two more games left - a tour game and the last Test. I'm not thinking my tour's over. I'm going to stay positive and think to go into every game I'm going to go to training, prepare to play," Fox Sports quoted Hughes, as saying.
"There's going to be 16 guys that are going to do that. Personally that's what I've been doing the last couple of weeks, just prepare like you're going to play. You just never know what's going to happen," he added.
The little left-hander made 68 at Northampton in his last innings before being dropped for the third Test at Edgbaston in favour of Watson.
Hughes said he was naturally disappointed to have been axed and would tinker with his game to ensure he makes the most of his next Test opportunity.
"I'm going to stay very positive. And that's how I am, I'm going to stay very positive in myself. The guys around the group have been very supportive of me, the support staff and all the people back home," Hughes said.
