Ashes: Matt Prior calms fears over Achilles

England's Kevin Pietersen warms-up during the nets session at Lord's. Picture: PA

Prior was unavailable for a round of golf on Monday, leading to fears the influential vice-captain had aggravated his Achilles problem during the 14-run success in the opening match at Trent Bridge.

While Prior admitted his Achilles will always need to be managed, he revealed he took the decision to opt out of playing golf in order to rest due to the quick turnaround in matches.

“I think it was a bigger shock to me than anyone else, reading that I was a doubt for the second Test. I’m not,” Prior told a press conference.

“I feel completely fit and well. The Achilles thing, as I’ve said before, is purely a management thing and it feels that good at the moment that the reason I didn’t play golf yesterday was because I didn’t want to potentially put it under strain and get it inflamed or anything else. It’s not because I’m a big injury doubt, but I’m feeling good.

“Back-to-back Test matches is one thing that comes into play. You’ve got one full rest day – I would rather have my feet up to be honest.

“We’ve got a rest after this Test, but it’s a quick turnaround. The other thing is we’ve spent a lot of time in the field, it’s pretty tense.

“A day off my feet was what was needed.”