Ashes 2015: James Anderson named in England squad for fifth test at The Oval

James Anderson has been tentatively named in England's squad for the fifth and final Ashes test against Australia.

The Lancashire fast bowler, his country's leading test wicket-taker with 413 to Sir Ian Botham's 383, missed the victory at Trent Bridge this week after suffering from a side strain but could return at the Oval as Alastair Cook's side seek to complete an unlikely 4-1 victory.

While Anderson is included in the 14-man party, however, national selector James Whitaker has been quick to stress that England will take no unnecessary risks on his fitness given that the series has already been won.

"James Anderson is continuing to improve and with 10 days to go before the Test may be able to play a part at the Oval, although with the series won we will not be taking any chances given the cricket we have in the coming months," he said in an official release from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on 9 August.

"I have no doubt the players will want a strong finish to the series and we can look forward to another entertaining Test match."

Yorkshire duo Adil Rashid and Liam Plunkett remain in the squad, with Anderson replacing Mark Footitt despite the left-armer's impressive recent form for Derbyshire.

The fifth Ashes test, set to be Australia captain Michael Clarke's last in international cricket before he retires, begins on Thursday 20 August.

England's 14-man squad for fifth Ashes test v Australia:

Alastair Cook, Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Ian Bell, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Steven Finn, Adam Lyth, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Mark Wood