England's selectors start a new international summer this weekend tackling the same problem which has plagued them for the last four years - finding a wicketkeeper capable of scoring runs at Test level consistently.

Ever since Alec Stewart retired in 2003, England have struggled to solve the wicketkeeping dilemma and find a player capable of contributing runs to complement his skills with the gloves.

Since Stewart's retirement England have tried Geraint Jones and Chris Read with a variety of success but neither has ever convinced as a regular run-scoring wicketkeeper.

But as new coach Peter Moores, a former wicketkeeper himself, prepares to reveal his maiden Test squad this weekend, that role will once again be at the forefront of the agenda when he discusses England's options for next week's first Test against West Indies at Lord's.

The two leading candidates are those included in the recent development squad with Sussex's Matt Prior and Paul Nixon of Leicestershire battling it out for selection.

But they may also face a challenge from Essex's James Foster, who was not included in the development squad but will not be ruled out of consideration because of that.

''We explained at the time we announced the development squad that players not included can still be considered for selection,'' explained chairman of selectors David Graveney, who will announce the squad tomorrow.

''Otherwise we'd have had to consider naming a much bigger development squad with, for instance, several more wicketkeepers to consider.''

Both Prior and Foster are known to Moores through his time at the Academy and the gutsy performances of Nixon made him one of the few successes during England's miserable World Cup campaign.

But none of the leading candidates have excelled in the first few weeks of the season, with neither Nixon nor Prior yet recording a first-class half-century.

Prior is most likely to get the nod, simply because he has a better career average than the others, which would enable England to consider moving him to number six and allowing all-rounder Andrew Flintoff to drop down a place to take some of the pressure off him.

But, as with nearly every other selection meeting in the last few years, the decision over the wicketkeeper will remain a close call, although Stewart believes Prior should be given the first chance to impress under the new regime.

''I'm a Prior fan. He has the potential and can be a very dangerous cricketer,'' said Stewart.

''The selectors have absolutely no choice but to select their new keeper on a hunch.

''Ever since I packed it in, no one has stood up and said 'I'm the man' through sheer weight of runs and until they do, the position will be up for grabs.''

The other areas of concern are likely to be a spare batsman and a spare seamer to include in the squad, with England giving captain Michael Vaughan as much time as possible to declare himself fit after suffering a broken finger last week.

Vaughan is expected to be included in the squad to allow England to evaluate his fitness and if he is unavailable, Andrew Strauss is expected to be installed as temporary captain for the first time since last summer.

With Vaughan's fitness still in doubt, England are also expected to name an extra spare batsman just in case their bad luck with injuries continues in the build-up to the Test, with in-form Middlesex batsman Owais Shah and Essex's Ravi Bopara in contention.

The combination of the bowling attack is more straightforward, with Steve Harmison's early form for Durham ensuring his recall after a disappointing Ashes series. He will form a three-pronged attack alongside Matthew Hoggard and Flintoff.

In case England decide to enter Lord's without spinner Monty Panesar, they will need an extra seamer, with Durham's Liam Plunkett a marginal favourite ahead of Lancashire's James Anderson for the final place.

Sri Lanka paceman Chaminda Vaas is relishing the chance to play cricket at Lord's with county side Middlesex.

Vaas, a member of the Sri Lanka team that won the 1996 World Cup and that finished runners-up to Australia this year, was due to fly in to London yesterday to start his stint with Middlesex.

Vaas, 33, said: ''I think it is a great opportunity to be playing county cricket in England.

''Middlesex is a great place and to be playing at Lord's regularly is so fantastic, especially in view of how hallowed it is for cricketers.

''Middlesex will be a great experience. I have had stints with Worcestershire and Hampshire and now Middlesex will enhance my education in the game.''

Vaas still has ambitions with Sri Lanka and claims he is still learning.

''As you know you will never stop learning in cricket and I am no exception,'' said Vaas.

''However I will be back for the Test matches with Bangladesh for sure. Nothing can take the place of playing for your country.

''But I am looking forward to be part of the Middlesex team and taking my place in that dressing room. I know the team of lads are a fantastic unit and I just want to be part of it."