• England v India, 4th Test, The Oval

Strauss upbeat on Anderson fitness

James Anderson played a key role in the win at Edgbaston © PA Photos

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Andrew Strauss expects James Anderson to be passed fit to face India in the final Test of the summer at The Oval after coming through an England nets session on Wednesday.

Anderson is the spearhead of England's bowling attack and has taken 18 wickets in the series, a run of form that has catapulted him up to No. 2 in the world rankings.

His participation in the Oval Test was cast into doubt when he experienced tightness in his right quadriceps in the aftermath of the team's innings-and-242-run victory at Edgbaston on Sunday.

Anderson went through fielding practice on Tuesday, but did not bowl. That was not the case on Wednesday, as he was seen running through the crease and bowling at a decent pace.

England captain Strauss confirmed Anderson reported no discomfort following the session, but will not be given the green light until the morning of the Test on Thursday.

"He seems absolutely fine," Strauss said of Anderson. "It is a bit of a niggle and we will have to wait and see how he is in the morning, but we were comforted by how he came through today."

With the series wrapped up there is a temptation to rest Anderson, but on this occasion it seems as if Strauss does not feel the seamer needs a break.

He said: "We don't want bowlers bowling to the state of exhaustion and the workloads are heavy, but we will only ever do that if we feel it is the right thing to do at any given time."

England can cap a fine summer with a whitewash of India and Strauss has insisted the team will not be distracted after getting to No. 1 in the world rankings with last week's win.

"We will approach it in the same way we do any other Test match," Strauss said. "We are desperate to win, desperate to finish the summer on a high and we have a great opportunity to do so here.

"The work ethic over the past couple of days has been encouraging and I would be disappointed if we took our foot off the gas at this stage."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.