NEW DELHI (Reuters)
Indian medium-pacer Zaheer Khan has been cleared to play in the Test series starting in Sri Lanka next week, following an injury scare.

Khan, 22, played in a triangular one-day series in Sri Lanka earlier this week despite a suspected stress fracture of his right foot. But a scan on Tuesday showed it was only a muscle injury.

National selector T.A. Sekar said: "It is...more to do with the muscle. Nothing to do with the bone. A bit of rest and he should be okay for the first Test."

Khan left for Colombo on Wednesday to re-join the squad. His availability will cheer the Indian team, which is battling with fitness problems to key playersbefore the three-Test series starting in Galle on August 14.

Left-arm paceman Ashish Nehra (groin injury) and batsman Vangipurappu Laxman (torn ligaments on his right knee) have been ruled out of the series.

Sachin Tendulkar is nursing a foot fracture and his availability will be known only four days before the first Test.

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