Ace English pacer James Anderson is optimistic of getting fit in time to play the first Test against Pakistan. The four-Test series against Pakistan starts on July 14 at Lord’s.

Earlier, the pacer was diagnosed with a stress fracture of his right shoulder blade. Anderson has been troubled by the injury for a while but felt it worsen during the third Test against Sri Lanka at Lord’s and has not played since.

“It was only discovered when I had a scan to look at some muscle damage in my right shoulder,” Anderson told The Telegraph UK.

“I’d been aware of that for a little while but I felt it most when I sent down my final delivery of the Lord’s Test against Sri Lanka.

“Sometimes, scans pick up issues that you didn’t know you had. There might be other bowlers walking round with stress fractures in their shoulders but not realising it.”

Anderson, who was seen bowling a little bit at Lord’s on Thursday morning, is not going to participate in any kind of competitive cricket before the first Test against Pakistan. He has been already ruled out of Lancashire’s next two County Championship matches.

“I’m not playing against (Nottinghamshire) but I’ll be at Trent Bridge and will do some more work on my bowling,” Anderson said.

“Gently, to begin with, let’s see how it goes. I’ve been doing some weights and gym sessions with no problems. So I’m optimistic that I’ll be okay for Lord’s. But it’s all a bit into new territory – it’s not a very common injury.”

Meanwhile injured allrounder Ben Stokes is all set to make a return from a knee injury. He is expected to play in Durham’s next County Championship match against Hampshire. However, he will only play as a batsman. Chris Woakes and Jake Ball are expected to make it to the squad in case Anderson and Stokes fail to gain full fitness in time.