Chris Woakes looks set to play his first Test for England in 16 months after Jimmy Anderson’s absence from the series opener with South Africa on Boxing Day was confirmed by the team management on Thursday morning.

Anderson has complained of tightness in his right calf muscle since the start of the tour and with the results of Tuesday’s scan showing a minor strain, it was decided he would not be risked in Durban. The second Test in Cape Town, starting on 2 January, is his next target.

It means Stuart Broad will now lead the attack in Anderson’s absence, with fast-medium bowler Woakes, whose last appearance for his country in Test cricket came against India in 2014, now expected to be named in the final XI ahead of Chris Jordan and left-armer Mark Footitt.

Right-armer Woakes has played four Tests for England previously, taking just six wickets at 52 runs apiece. But his first-class record for Warwickshire - 357 wickets at an average of 25.35 - means the mild-mannered 26-year-old should not be underestimated before this international return in whites.

England’s plans became apparent when Woakes bowled with Broad and Steven Finn at the start of England’s net session on Christmas Eve morning, while both Footitt and Jordan worked on their fielding with reserve batsman Gary Ballance on the outfield at Kingsmead.

Batsman Joe Root was absent from the training session due to a stomach complaint but is expected to train on Christmas Day with the rest of the squad.