MUMBAI, Nov 8: England paceman Ryan Sidebottom said on Saturday he could miss the start of the one-day series against India because of a long-standing Achilles tendon problem.

“I bowled a little bit today and I’ve been working on a few technical things,” Sidebottom told reporters ahead of a one-day warm-up game against a local side here on Sunday.

“At the minute I feel really good, but the medical staff don’t want to risk me and suffer a setback which could knock me back a couple of weeks.

“I don’t think I’ll be available for a couple of matches and I could miss the first One-day International – but I hope I’ll be available for selection after that.”

The first of seven One-day Internationals is set to be held in western Rajkot on Nov 14. The one-day series will be followed by two Tests in Ahmedabad and Mumbai.

Sidebottom, 30, was also overlooked for Sunday’s warm-up game against Mumbai Cricket Association XI which will see the sides field 12 players each.

“I’ve had a bad time with injuries,” he said.

“But there’s nothing you can do about it. You’ve just got to get on with it. I’ve been consistent and I’ve really enjoyed my time with England and I want to carry on playing international cricket.”

The bowler struggled with injuries over the last few months but appeared to be on his way back when he was named for last week’s Twenty20 Stanford Series and in the touring squad to India.

Sidebottom, who staged a remarkable comeback last year, admitted that he would now have to fight for a place in the squad after missing out on his team’s 4-0 whitewash of South Africa at home.

“I’ve got to fight for my place again,” he said. “Steve [Harmison] and Fred [Andrew Flintoff] have come back into the team and are both bowling well.

“I’m just happy to be part of this bowling unit and hope I can push for a place,” the Nottinghamshire left-arm seamer said.—AFP