England's Michael Vaughan hopes to play in the final two Ashes Tests as his rehabilitation from a knee injury continues.

The 31-year-old, who has not played for England since the second test against Pakistan in Lahore in December, had been cautious about the improvement in his knee after surgery but shrugged off previous reports his career may be over.

"At one stage it looked as though it would be the World Cup for the comeback but now I am so ahead of schedule there is a possibility that I may be back in time for the last two tests (of the Ashes)," he told Reuters.

"I am hoping to go down to Australia and play in a few matches of club cricket and then we'll take if from there," added Vaughan, who was speaking at the Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland.

The first Ashes Test begins in Brisbane on November 23 with the fourth in Melbourne (December 26) and the fifth and final Test in Sydney from January 2.

However, chairman of selectors David Graveney was more circumspect when asked about an earlier-than-expected comeback for the Yorkshire player.

"We know his rehab is going well and that's great news but there is a lot of water to go under the bridge," he told the BBC.

"He still hasn't had a bat. He is running but he hasn't twisted or turned on the knee."

"He's going to go as and when he is ready to play. Plans are in place - they are not for public consumption - and they will be activated when he is passed fit."

Vaughan has been out of the game for 10 months with a knee problem that has required four operations and seemed to end his hopes of being part of the Ashes defence.

In his absence England were led by Andrew Flintoff and then, after he too was injured, Andrew Strauss took over for this year's controversial 3-0 test series win over Pakistan.

Flintoff has been named captain for the Ashes series and though the Lancashire all rounder has proved a good stand-in, England will miss Vaughan both as captain and as a reliable and experienced top order batsman.

Vaughan took over as captain from Nasser Hussain in 2003 and led England during one of their most successful periods for many years.

Test series wins against West Indies home and away, New Zealand and South Africa established his credentials and he capped it all by leading England to their first Ashes series win for 18 years in 2005, showing astute leadership skills in one of the most tense and exciting series of all time.

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