James Kirtley was today named as Darren Gough's replacement in England's squad for next month's ICC Champions' Trophy tournament.

The call up provides the Sussex fast bowler with a lifeline for next year's World Cup.

The 27-year-old seamer feared his chances for next year's tournament in South Africa had gone when he was overlooked for the original squad with captain Nasser Hussain indicating there would be few changes between now and the World Cup.

But following another setback in Gough's attempts to overcome his knee problems this season, sidelining him for the rest of the summer while he recuperates from a third operation, Kirtley has been called up as a replacement for the three-week tournament in Colombo.

Today's call-up completes an eventful opening year in international cricket for Kirtley, who appeared a certainty for the World Cup after impressing during the opening four matches of this summer's one-day triangular tournament against India and Sri Lanka.

Just as he seemed to be establishing himself, however, Kirtley broke his right hand during training in the nets at Old Trafford and was ruled out for six weeks and by the time he returned, England had already named their squad for the Sri Lanka competition.