Alastair Cook welcomes Kevin Pietersen's England return

England captain Alastair Cook has welcomed the return of a "contrite" Kevin Pietersen to the Test squad.

Pietersen, 32, will take part in next month's four-Test tour to India after resolving his public fall-out.

"It's been a difficult two months for us, but as captain the best possible outcome is that we have a world-class player back in the team," said Cook.

"Kevin is very contrite and desperate to be back playing and scoring runs for England. As captain that's all I want."

South African-born batsman Pietersen was recalled to the squad last week after meeting with Cook, coach Andy Flower and other senior players.

He was dropped in August after having to apologise to former captain Andrew Strauss for sending "provocative" text messages to opposing players during the summer Test series against South Africa.

England fly to a training camp in Dubai on Thursday without Pietersen, who is still on Champions League Twenty 20 duty with the Delhi Daredevils.

But Cook insists there are no problems within the dressing room over Pietersen's return and now regards the long-running issue as over.

"Over the last couple of weeks these issues have been discussed," he said.

"I'm very confident [there are no issues] or he wouldn't be in the squad. The team are confident it all can work well.

"We know how important team spirit is. We have to draw a line in the sand."

England begin the Test series against India on 15 November in Ahmedabad.