He's All In: Root Confirms Injured Woakes Will Step Up To Bat If Required

Chris Woakes is poised to slip his left arm out of its sling and return to action just four days after a serious shoulder injury as England, with four wickets in hand, seek the 35 runs required to seal the final Test against India and with it the series.

- Simon Burnton

The scans on the shoulder Woakes injured on the opening day may have suggested he would be out of action for many months, but the 36-year-old is preparing himself to bat if required.

"He's all in, like the rest of us," Joe Root said. "It's been that kind of series, where guys have had to put bodies on the line.

"Hopefully it doesn't get to that but he's had some throw-downs and he's ready if needed. Clearly he's in a huge amount of pain, but it means a huge amount to him and it shows the character and the person he is, that he's ready to put his body on the line for England. Hopefully he doesn't have to."