Ashes 2013: England recall Taylor, Panesar and Tremlett

Kevin Pietersen has been included in England's squad for the third Ashes Test against Australia despite ongoing concerns over a calf injury.

James Taylor, who played in two Tests against South Africa last summer before being left out and ultimately replaced by Joe Root, is recalled as cover.

Spinner Monty Panesar is also drafted in, along with Surrey paceman Chris Tremlett. Fellow seamers Steven Finn and Graham Onions have been dropped.

The third Test begins on Thursday.

Leading the five-match series 2-0, England will retain the Ashes if they do not lose in Manchester.

Pietersen, 33, was hampered by a calf problem throughout the second Test and was unable to field in the second innings at Lord's.

The England and Wales Cricket Board asked for Nottinghamshire's 23-year-old right-hander Taylor to play as a guest for Sussex in a three-day match against Australia and he pressed his claims with an unbeaten 64 on Saturday.

After his inclusion in the England Test squad had been announced, he went on to complete his century as Sussex moved past Australia's 366-5 declared.

Tayor dismissed claims he was unfortunate to have been dropped from the squad last year.

"I didn't score as many runs as I had hoped," he told Sky Sports News. "It was a good experience but it was bit too brief for my liking, so it is good to be back in the squad.

"I have scored plenty of runs in all formats and I am feeling in good touch. It's nice to go into the squad with plenty of runs behind me.

"I am in a better space mentally and probably my game is in a better place with another year's experience.

"I've had a little taster against Australia now so if required, I would definitely be up for it."

With the Old Trafford wicket usually conducive to spin, Panesar has been drafted into the squad to increase their attacking options.

Were the 31-year-old to make the final XI, it would be his first home Test for four years.

Tremlett has not been involved with England for 18 months.

Selector Geoff Miller says England will give Pietersen time to prove his fitness but feels Taylor would be an adequate replacement.

He said: "Kevin Pietersen is continuing his recovery from a calf strain and he will be assessed by the medical team closer to the start of the Test, and we have therefore included an extra batsman in James Taylor who has been in good form for Nottinghamshire this season.

"Chris Tremlett has worked hard to regain fitness and form following a couple of injuries and his performances for Surrey this season have been very encouraging.

"Including an additional spinner in Monty Panesar, who has plenty of international experience, provides Alastair Cook (captain) and Andy Flower (coach) with a number of options."

Former England batsman Mark Ramprakash has coached Taylor with the England Lions and is confident the Nottinghamshire man can make the step up.

He told BBC Radio 5 live's Sportsweek programme: "He's been very consistent and he merits his selection.

"Jamie's a very good player. He's small in stature and people have questioned whether he has the ability to play at Test level but there have been other great players in the past who have had smaller stature but he can do that and he's still only 23.

"He had that experience last summer and he'll be really hungry to get in there and make an impression."

After a victory by 14 runs in the opening Test at Trent Bridge, England won the second Test at Lord's by 347 runs.

England squad: Alastair Cook (Essex, capt), James Anderson (Lancashire), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Tim Bresnan (Yorkshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Monty Panesar (Sussex), Kevin Pietersen (Surrey), Matt Prior (Sussex, wk), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Graeme Swann (Nottinghamshire), James Taylor (Nottinghamshire), Chris Tremlett (Surrey), Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire).