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England's pace spearhead Mark Wood says he is "quietly confident" about his fitness for the first Test of the Ashes series in Australia.

Wood has not played since a Champions Trophy defeat by Afghanistan last winter and had an operation on a left knee injury in March.

The Champions Trophy and India series that preceded it marked his comeback after an elbow problem which sidelined him for many months.

"The summer was disappointing," Wood stated. "I didn't get to play any cricket and my knee sometimes, when it seemed I was nearly fit, it wasn't fully recovered."

"I faced setbacks a couple of times, but in the tent [training camp] it's been going well. I've had the speed gun out and my speed is increasing."

The opener of the Ashes starts on 21 November in Perth, with England aiming to win their first Test series on Australian soil in over a decade.

"Hopefully, I'm in form, delivering effectively in the practice games and in net sessions, and can make my case for the first Test," Wood continued, whose last Test outing was against Sri Lanka over a year back.

"The rehab hasn't just been a straight curve, it had its ups and downs, but now I'm in a better place where i'm hoping to kick on toward the match."

"I never want to give an answer claiming, 'I'm fully ready, I'm ready'. I feel assured at the minute and feeling a lot more positive, so I'm quietly confident."

Australia's Fitness Concerns

Meanwhile, worries for Australia over the fitness of squad members has resulted in player Cameron Green making way for Marnus Labuschagne for the three-match one-day series against India, beginning this weekend.

The Aussies also have doubts about the fitness of captain Pat Cummins, who's been absent since July due to a back injury affecting his spine.

"Green is unavailable of the [India] series having experienced mild side discomfort during recent practice," the cricket board stated.

"He will undergo a brief rehab stint and is expected to be back to play in round three of the Sheffield Shield to continue his preparation for the Ashes."

Round three of Australia's domestic Sheffield Shield competition is scheduled to start on 28 October.