Finn losing fitness battle

England fast bowler Steven Finn is set to miss out on the first Test against India after failing to bowl in the nets on Tuesday.

While Stuart Broad, who is also an injury doubt with a heel injury, bowled six overs off his full run, Finn was unable to take to the field.

The right-arm paceman injured his thigh during the opening warm-up match but hope remained of him being declared fit for the start of the series in Ahmedabad when he bowled on Sunday.

England wicketkeeper Matt Prior conceded those prospects have now receded.

"The one thing you would say is, if there was a realistic chance of Finny playing, then he probably would have had a long bowl today," Prior told the media ahead of Thursday?s start to the series.

England?s wicketkeeper-batsman admitted the loss of the in-form Finn would be a blow to the side but that viable options were available as his replacement with Tim Bresnan most likely to get the nod.

Prior said: "It's a setback. I'm sure coach and captain would want to be able to choose from every player that's out here.

"But we have a lot of strength and depth in the squad. It's one thing that's made our squad so strong over the last couple of years.

"If Finny's not available, there's another guy that can step in and do as good a job - that's the way we look at it."