Kent paceman Amjad Khan has been named in the England performance squad for their forthcoming tour of South Africa, which begins next month.

Youngsters Alex Blake and Sam Northeast have also been named in an enhanced England performance programme. The party involves a total of 41 players, divided into squads according to their differing stages of development.

Khan (pictured), 28, who took 36 first-class wickets during the 2009 season, is named in the main group and is clearly happy at this latest international call-up.

He said: "This is great news for me and it goes to show that Im still highly thought of by the England selectors. Theoretically, I guess, I’m only a couple of injuries away from playing international cricket again.

“I had a pretty serious knee injury and it set me back but I returned well at the end of last season and took some wickets. I’m feeling fit and strong. I’m at home in Denmark and working with a personal trainer to ensure that I stay in good shape. I have been to South Africa a few times before but I have never been to Pretoria so it will be a new experience for me.”

The performance squad will meet at the National Cricket Academy in Loughborough, early next month, before leaving for South Africa on November 15.