Anderson suffered a groin injury playing for Lancashire last week, but was included in the 15-man roster for the June 1 test against Ireland. Ashes’ first test will be at Edgbaston on June 16.

The 40-year-old is England’s leading Test bowler with 685 wickets and is crucial to their chances after fellow pacer Jofra Archer was ruled out of the Ashes games because of an elbow injury.

Sure, it’s not nice to get injured, but it’s probably the best outcome because it’s a low-grade thing. I think I’ll be back to full form in a couple of weeks, Anderson told the BBC’s Tailenders podcast.

It’s frustrating because you always want to feel good and bowl before the series and be fresh. So now we’re trying to plan the best route for this summer.

I felt like I needed to play this game, so it’s not ideal, but I’m not worried about it.

Anderson said he’s trying to avoid a situation similar to the one in 2019, when he was injured on the first day of the first Test against Australia.

A nasty calf injury took him out of the rest of the campaign when Australia retained the Ashes after the series in England was played to a 2-2 draw.

I just take it day by day and see how it goes, because obviously I don’t want to risk making it worse, Anderson added.

I’m more confident that I can get this match right (compared to 2019) and give Asham a good crack.