England limited-overs skipper Eoin Morgan has stated that it will be very difficult for opener Alex Hales to get back into the side as the team is extremely strong at the moment.

Alex Hales was left out of the England squad ahead of the ICC ODI World Cup 2019 for testing positive for use of banned recreational drugs. He has not been able to get a place in the national squad since then despite some above average performances in tournaments like the Big Bash League.

Eoin Morgan told ESPNCricInfo, “Our position on Alex still remains the same. He's out of the squad. The squad is very strong at the moment. You look at the strength of our squad at the moment and the areas that we're trying to improve... one area we don't struggle for players, it's probably in the top three.”

Alex Hales says 2019 World Cup snub ‘sickening’; determined to earn his spot back in England team

The 34-year-old also had nothing to say on whether Hales will be back to the national squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 scheduled to be held later this year in India.

“He's not in the squad and the squad is very difficult to get back into. The player that he is has never been in doubt. Could he return ahead of the World Cup? Only time will tell. But time is a great healer,” he added.

England will commence the limited-overs series leg against India from Friday, March 12 at the Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad.

(With inputs from ANI)