DURHAM coach Jon Lewis expects both Ben Stokes and Mark Wood to be in contention when the England selectors name their squad for three Tests in the West Indies from April 13-May 5.

Both recently returned from the England Lions tour of South Africa, where Stokes missed the two unofficial Tests but topped both batting and bowling averages in the one-day series.

His 15 sixes in an innings of 151 not out at Pretoria was seen as a reminder to the selectors after their astonishing decision to leave him out of the World Cup squad.

“Stokes should be close to a call-up for the West Indies tour,” said Lewis. “But there again I expected him to be at the World Cup.

“His second child, a daughter, was born yesterday so he's happy at home at the moment, but he'll be coming with us on our ten-day pre-season trip to Dubai, starting on March 17.”

Wood made a big impression on the Lions tour, playing in all the games after returning from last year's trip to Sri Lanka with a side injury suffered in the first game.

At 25, he has played in only 23 first-class games and has never strung more than five together because of various injuries.

He could find himself in competition with Liam Plunkett for a place in the England squad as both offer genuine pace.

Plunkett's successful return to Test cricket last summer was cut short by injury but he confirmed his recovery on the Lions tour. He was the leading wicket-taker in the two Tests with seven at 28.71.

Wood had four at 53.25, but Lewis said: “He has had a really good winter with the Lions and I would expect his name to be mentioned when the selectors meet.”

Along with the glut of injuries they suffered last year, the prospect of being without one or both of their Lions men at the start of the season offers good reason for Durham assembling a strong squad of seamers.

Sunderland all-rounder Paul Coughlin has been promoted to a full contract and Peter Chase has also been contracted, although Ireland will continue to have first call.

“They have quite a lot of cricket this summer so we might not see as much of Peter as we would like,” said Lewis.

“John Hastings has been in regular contact and will be here on April 3 in time for our match against Durham University four days later.

“As things stand the only player who might not quite be ready is Jamie Harrison after his knee operation. With everyone else fresh that might not be such a bad thing. He can come in after a couple of weeks.”

Durham will play in a Twenty20 competition sponsored by Emirates in Dubai and also hope to have a two-day game against the UAE on their ten-day trip.

Their first championship game starts on April 12 at Taunton against a Somerset side who have signed the former Brandon professional Jim Allenby, from Glamorgan.