Stuart Broad is aiming for a July 22 return to competitive cricket in a bid to prove his fitness ahead of the Test series against India, which starts on August 1.

The England fast bowler left the field with a left ankle injury during Nottinghamshire’s Championship match against Worcestershire last week, but subsequent scans did not reveal significant damage.

After receiving a painkilling injection, Broad hopes to return to running on Tuesday with the aim of making a county return in the Championship match against Surrey at Trent Bridge.

“It needs five days rest, then [I’m] aiming to run Tuesday and build up quickly,” Broad confirmed in an Instagram post. “I’ve had some injections in my left ankle for an ongoing ligament problem.”

Fellow experienced seamer James Anderson, who’s been managing a shoulder problem for some time, also has question marks over his fitness. The Lancashire man hopes to feature in two games ahead of England’s five-day Indian summer, the last of which will be a Roses clash in the County Championship against Yorkshire.

England’s highest Test match wicket-taker hasn’t played since the two-match Test series versus Pakistan in June.