Former cricketer-turned-commentator Nasser Hussain has supported Jofra Archer’s return to England’s Test squad, calling it a "gamble worth taking". However, he cautioned against rushing the speedster into the playing XI for the second Test against India at Edgbaston.

Archer, whose last Test appearance was in February 2021, has been named in the squad for the second Test, slated to get underway on July 2.

The 30-year-old has battled persistent elbow and back injuries in recent years, and made his red-ball return earlier this week for Sussex. He bowled 18 overs against Durham and returned with the figures of 1/32.

"Firstly, you have to say it's good news for Archer and England in that Jof must have been through so much with those [elbow and back injuries], the rehab, the pain, the mental torment of continually getting injured and making comebacks, so it's great to see him back in the squad… he hasn't played a Test match for four years," Hussain said while speaking to Sky Sports.

He added, "I think it's too much of a risk this week, but it may have gone so well - I don't know Jofra Archer's body - it may have gone so well that they say, 'we'll play you this week'. Then the problem is, who do you leave out?"

Nonetheless, Hussain remained optimistic about the long-term value of Archer’s return. "I do think it is a gamble worth taking, I just don't know if it's worth taking this week. I would do it a week after at Lord's."

Having won the first Test at Headingley by five wickets, England lead the five-match series 1-0. The rest of their squad remains unchanged for Edgbaston Test.

England squad for second Test against India: Ben Stokes (capt), Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes.