Gough Ruled Out of First Test

Darren Gough has been ruled out of England's first Ashes Test against Australia next week.

And doubts still remain over opening batsman Michael Vaughan's recovery from a knee injury.

England coach Duncan Fletcher said Gough, 32, was improving his fitness level but would not be risked for the first Test starting in Brisbane on November 7.

The fast bowler, who practised in the nets with the squad on Friday before receiving treatment on his injured knee, will aim to play in the second Test in Adelaide starting on November 21.

Gough's fellow Yorkshireman Vaughan, who also missed this week's tour match against Western Australia, rated himself as 80 percent fit and said it was up to the selectors if he played in the three-day match against Queensland starting on Saturday.

"We generally play our test team before the first test so tomorrow morning is a crucial selection for quite a few of us," Vaughan said.

"It's fine. It's about 80 percent coming into tomorrow's game. I'm hopeful the selectors will pick me.

"Come next Thursday I should be 100 percent."

Vaughan and Gough were both quick to respond to comments from Australia's Steve Waugh, Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne this week that the home team would be disappointed if they didn't sweep the upcoming series 5-0.

"We're used to it. That's the Aussie way isn't it? We're a bit more reserved," Gough said.

"We've all read in the papers how the first morning, for some reason, decides the whole series, which is the biggest load of rubbish I've ever heard.

"Our guys are up for it. We're playing the best side in the world, that's an obvious statement again, but we all have a dream of winning the Ashes, whether it be this time, the next time or the one after."

Vaughan said: "We respect them but we mustn't fear them. We must go into next Thursday's game full of confidence.

"If they feel they can beat us five-nil that's fine. We firmly believe we came come here and get the Ashes back.

"We're pretty confident because we gained some momentum against Western Australia and we have to continue it here but we realise we're up against a good team."