Eoin Morgan appears likely to be fit to lead England again as they bid for an unassailable 3-0 lead over Australia at Trent Bridge.

Morgan suffered a back spasm in Cardiff on Saturday and was a last-minute absentee from his team’s 38-run victory in the second one-day international – for which Jos Buttler stepped in as captain.

The Irishman sat out England’s football match warm-up on Monday morning, but was then able to bat – and it therefore seems probable he will return in place of Sam Billings, the Press Association reported.

Stand-in skipper Buttler had earlier said he was more than happy to continue as captain if Morgan remained unfit.

“I enjoyed it,” he said. “It’s a bit more stressful going through lots of decisions, (and) the buck stops with you.

“As vice-captain you can suggest a few (ideas), and hide behind that.”

Buttler said what his made his job easier is the quality of players in the team, which is No1 in the world.

“It’s a very good side to captain. At times it captains itself, with defined roles for the players and a lot of experience in the group.”