Jonny Bairstow intends to give the England selectors a dilemma as he eyes a recall in the final Test against Sri Lanka.

Wicketkeeper Bairstow has had to watch from the sidelines as his teammates clinched series-winning victories in Galle and Kandy, initially ruled out with an ankle injury and then overlooked after Ben Foakes’s flawless debut.

Having arrived on tour as undisputed first choice the 29-year-old is suddenly wondering how he will break back into the XI, with Foakes emphatically taking his chance with the gloves.

Bairstow has more than enough pedigree to push for a place as a specialist batsman and plans to press his claims in the build-up to the third Test in Colombo.

“Look, selection is above my pay grade and that’s why you want to be giving other people headaches with that,” he said.

“I’m training hard, hitting the ball nicely in the nets and I’d like to think people know that, in the background, I’ll be pushing as hard as possible to be playing this week.

“I’ve worked hard and had that spot for two-and-a-half years, so to do that — keep wicket, bat at five, six or seven in all different conditions, I’m very proud of that.”

England may be forced into one change if Sam Curran’s side strain does not clear up over the coming days.

The players were granted a day off yesterday and the all-rounder will be assessed again before today’s training session.