England white-ball coach Matthew Mott has delivered an update on Jofra Archer and Mark Wood 's injury status ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Archer has not played for England since March 2021, having initially been sidelined with an elbow problem before suffering a stress fracture of the back in May which ruled him out of action for the entire summer.
Wood, meanwhile, picked up an elbow injury during England's Test series against the West Indies in March and revealed last month that he was set to have a second operation in a bid to be fit for the World Cup in October.
"I'm struggling to be honest," Wood told Sky Sports. "I need another operation unfortunately. I've got to get it sorted right now if I want to be fit for the T20 World Cup, which is the goal."
Archer has also hinted that he is hoping to be back in action at the World Cup as he is set to return to bowling in September, with England's campaign set to get underway on October 22. In a column for the Daily Mail, he said: "I am still striving to get back on the field.
"That won't happen in a game situation this county season, but what's keeping me going is the fact that I should be bowling by September with a view to returning to competitive cricket soon after. Don't forget, the World Cup starts in October…"
However, Mott believes it is unlikely that Archer will be fit for the tournament, but is more optimistic about Wood's chances. "It's going to be a stretch for Jofra," Mott admitted.
"Wood is probably closer. Both those guys we'd love to have at the moment.
"But it's out of our hands. Whatever we take out to that World Cup, it's got to be good enough."
