Peter Moores is hoping England's latest wicketkeeper can heighten his selection problems when his illness-ravaged squad step up their preparations for the one-day series against Sri Lanka.

The England coach is hoping to build on his side's remarkable NatWest Series triumph over India this month and take on one of the biggest challenges in world cricket, competing with Sri Lanka on their own soil.

The five-match one-day series starts in Dambulla on Monday, but before then England face their only warm-up match in Colombo tomorrow knowing they could be without several key players after a stomach virus spread through the squad.

Captain Paul Collingwood, fast bowler Stuart Broad, all-rounder Luke Wright and opener Alastair Cook have all been struck down by the condition, leaving them doubtful for tomorrow's encounter and giving them little time to experience the conditions before the start of the series.

Moores is also bracing himself for Durham's Phil Mustard, England's latest uncapped recruit, attempting to cloud the wicketkeeping position even further.

Called up to the squad after Matt Prior broke his right thumb during England's dismal Twenty20 campaign, Mustard's attacking brand of strokeplay could be just the boost they need.

It could also provide the selectors with further problems when they consider their options for the Test tour to Sri Lanka before Christmas.

Mustard would be the sixth wicketkeeper England have used in a year and Moores stressed: ''It's an exciting time because Phil Mustard gets a go for this series. He's had a very good domestic season so it's a good time to come in and have a go.''

Mustard caught the eye last season with a domestic one-day average of 44 while he delivered an eye-catching innings of 49 off 38 balls to help Durham beat Hampshire in the Friends Provident final at Lord's.

Although viewed currently as exclusively a one-day option, a successful tour of Sri Lanka will almost certainly put him in the frame to return for the Test tour and compete with Prior.

''He could make it difficult, but I'm hoping he goes really well,'' said Moores. ''It will be interesting to see how he adapts to the conditions, how he plays and what he's like around the team."