Kent captain James Tredwell has been called into the England Test squad for the series against New Zealand to replace the injured Graeme Swann.

The Notts off-spinner's long-standing elbow injury has flared up once again and he will fly to the USA next week for an operation which will rule him out until the early summer.

The 33-year-old is hoping to be fit to take part in the back-to-back Ashes series which begin with the first Test at Trent Bridge on July 10.

Monty Panesar has taken Swann's place in the England side with Tredwell, who turned 31 last month, called-up as cover for the three Test series.

Swann's injury returned during last week's tour match against a New Zealand XI and was omitted from the side ahead of the first day of the opening Test in in Dunedin which was washed-out on Wednesday morning.

Tredwell (pictured) has already been on England duty in India and New Zealand this winter but had returned to Kent ahead of the start of pre-season training this week.