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The English pace spearhead Mark Wood has stated he feels "quietly confident" of being fit for the first Test of cricket's greatest rivalry down under.

The cricketer has been sidelined since a Champions Trophy defeat against Afghanistan in February and underwent surgery for a knee issue in March.

The Champions Trophy and India series that preceded it was the 35-year-old's return from an elbow injury which sidelined him for many months.

"The summer was disappointing," Wood stated. "I didn't get to play any matches and my knee, at times, when you think that you're just about ready, it wasn't fully recovered."

"I got knocked back a couple of times, but during the training camp progress has been positive. I've had the speed gun out and the pace is getting up there."

The first match of the Ashes begins November 21st in Perth, with England aiming to win their initial series win on Australian soil in over a decade.

"With luck, I'll be performing well, delivering effectively during warm-up matches and in the nets, and can put my hand up for that game [Ashes opener]," Wood continued, who last played a Test versus Sri Lanka over a year back.

"The rehab hasn't just been a straight curve, it had its ups and downs, but now I'm in a better place where i'm hoping to kick on toward the match."

"I never want to give an answer where I say, 'I'm fully ready, I'm ready'. I'm in a confident place at the minute and feeling a lot more positive, so I'm cautiously hopeful."

Australian Fitness Concerns

Meanwhile, worries for Australia over the fitness of players has resulted in player Cameron Green making way for Marnus Labuschagne for the three-match one-day series with India, which starts on Sunday.

Australia already have doubts about the fitness of captain Pat Cummins, who's been absent since mid-year because of lumbar bone stress affecting his spine.

"Green is unavailable for the India series having experienced mild side discomfort at training this week," Cricket Australia said.

"Green will complete a brief rehab stint and is tracking to return for the third round of the Sheffield Shield to continue his preparation for the Ashes."

The third round of Australia's domestic Sheffield Shield competition is scheduled to start October 28th.