FORMER Kent wicketkeeper Paul Nixon is to replace Geraint Jones in the England squad – but has backed him to return to the international scene.

The irony of his call-up for the one-day series against Australia and New Zealand, in January and February, was not lost on Nixon, who rejoined Leicestershire in 2003 after Kent made it clear that Jones would become their preferred wicketkeeper.

Nixon said: "I feel for Geraint because he’s had a tough time and a lot of unfair criticism. I am surprised that he hasn’t scored a lot more runs because he’s such a good player.

"But we all have highs and lows in this game. I’m sure he will come bouncing back and prove everybody wrong."

Nixon, who toured Pakistan and Sri Lanka with England during his time with Kent, in 2000-01, said he had retained hopes of an international recall.

He said: "You hope if you have a good year that people will notice you, and winning the Twenty20 with Leicestershire helped, because you are doing well on a big stage.

"People are pointing out that I’m 36 but Alec Stewart, who I understudied on my England tour, was 40 when he finished."