England's pace spearhead Mark Wood is eyeing a return to Test cricket and hopes to feature in the fifth and final match of the ongoing series against India.

The 35-year-old fast bowler is currently recovering from a knee injury and believes he could be fit in time for the Oval Test, scheduled to begin on July 31.

Wood sustained medial ligament damage to his left knee during the 2025 Champions Trophy and had to limp off the field mid-match. He underwent knee surgery in March and was subsequently advised a four-month rehabilitation period-effectively ruling him out of the five-match series. However, Wood has made steady progress and is now hopeful of making a late appearance.

Speaking to BBC Test Match Special, Wood said he had resumed light bowling and was cautiously optimistic about being available for the fifth Test.

"Rehab is going well. I've just started bowling very lightly, so I'm officially on the comeback trail now," Wood said.

"I'm hoping to still play a part in this series so I get to have a look at some of the players here who I might come up against. I'm still targeting probably the last Test. Anything before that is maybe a bit too soon. The last Test-I might not get there-but at the minute, that's still my focus."

The fifth Test of the England-India series will be held at The Kia Oval from July 31. To prove his fitness, Wood is expected to play in the County Championship match for Durham against Somerset, starting July 22.

Although his return would be a major boost for England, the team management is unlikely to rush him back, especially with the Ashes looming on the horizon. England's pace attack has already been depleted by injuries in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, with several frontline bowlers sidelined.

Olly Stone and Jofra Archer are both in rehabilitation, with Archer expected to be available for the second Test. Reports suggest he will feature for Sussex against Durham in the County Championship on Sunday. Archer, who last played a Test in May 2021, has since only featured in white-ball cricket.

Wood admitted that the comeback has been slow, but he remains hopeful.

"It's been a bit slow to start with. I haven't been able to do a lot, but it's starting to speed up now. I'm getting some bowling in-hopefully not too much longer," he said.

"I am still hoping that I can play a part right at the end of the series, but I'll just wait and see."