Mark Wood would love to play alongside Jofra Archer in the Ashes but knows neither player is guaranteed a place in England's squad as they work their way back to full fitness.

Wood suffered a knee injury during England's defeat to Afghanistan at the Champions Trophy in February and was ruled out for four months.

While Wood is still watching on from the sidelines, Archer could be in line for his first Test appearance in over four years after being called up for England's second match against India at Edgbaston next week.

A series of back and elbow injuries have hampered Archer in recent years, after he took 22 wickets – including three five-fors – in the 2019 Ashes.

Only Pat Cummins (29) and Stuart Broad (23) bettered that tally as Australia retained the urn with a 2-2 series draw, which they have backed up with two further retentions in 2021-22 and 2023.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Wood warned neither he nor Archer are guaranteed a place in the squad for this year's series, which begins on 21 November, though he hopes they will be able to team up.

"I still have that hope. We are running our own race a little bit," Wood said. "He is ready to go now. I still have a bit to go and there are plenty of other bowlers around.

"I wouldn't necessarily say it is definitely me and him pencilled in.

"In the pack of bowlers, we don't want it to feel like we are competing against each other. We want it as a rounded group where it can do damage against India and Australia.

"That is what we are hoping for, but I don't think there are guarantees for any of us. We all need to put in those performances.

"It would be lovely to play with him, but we have both got to run our own race, get up to speed and deserve that spot."

Jofra Archer is 

Our squad to take on India in the second Test has just dropped 

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 26, 2025

Wood is hoping to make his own return in the fifth Test against India, which is set to start at The Oval on July 31.

With Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Sam Cook and Jamie Overton also among England's pace options, Wood feels they finally have the depth to rival Australia. 

"It is exciting because to be able to go to Australia with a pack of fast bowlers in particular, we haven't done that a lot in the last few series over there," he added.

"When you look at Australia's team, they have had those three or four fast bowlers for a long time who have been really successful.

"It will be nice for us to bring our own and try to combat that."