London, July 24 - Injured Kevin Pietersen has been named Friday in England's 30-man preliminary squad for the Champions Trophy to be held in South Africa in September.

The 29-year-old underwent a surgery on his achilles tendon a few days ago and cannot be rushed, but England selectors hoped that the former England captain will be able to compete in the tournament.

The squad will be pruned to 15 by Aug 23, and that will give Pietersen a little more than four weeks' time to prove his fitness.

The announcement follows concerns expressed by the head of the Professional Cricketers' Association, Sean Morris, that players will increasingly be forced to pick and choose their international commitments.

Pietersen has already been ruled out of the Ashes - with the final Test due to begin Aug 20 - and he is considered doubtful for the subsequent one-day series.

Even if England are confident enough in Pietersen's recovery to include him in their final 15, Pietersen will have little opportunity to regain form ahead of England's opening Champions Trophy fixture against Sri Lanka September.