Beleaguered England coach Duncan Fletcher has stated that Michael Vaughan won't be considered for the remaining Ashes Tests. Vaughan, who is due to play in the two-day match against Western Australia on Saturday, had high hopes of playing in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day. And those England fans who had banked on the Ashes-winning skipper returning to help save the series are bound to be disappointed.

Many might have considered Vaughan's return to be the silver bullet that would strike at the heart of Australia's confidence. However, his coach has said that without match fitness, he won't even be in the running for a return. While England desperately need the influential Yorkshire batsman back at the helm, even if he were fit it would produce a selection dilemma of its own.

Looking at the batting order, there doesn't seem an obvious target to replace. Both Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss haven't had the best of starts to the series, although there is confidence they will 'come good', and with Ian Bell in such fine form, the No.3 slot is unlikely.

Vaughan is traditionally an opener. He only dropped down the order to allow Strauss to continue opening. He could bat at four and move KP [Kevin Pietersen] to five but it still leaves a tough decision over who  wouldbe dropped. You couldn't release Paul Collingwood when he is in such fine nick.

Fletcher has taken the easy option and ruled Vaughan out. In truth, it would be too much of a gamble to play him, even batting right down the order. While I am certain he is eager to get back in the saddle, no right-minded person would want to come back when his team are already 2-0 down. And what if he failed? Imagine dropping Cook (for example) and Vaughan copped a pair on his return!

No, I think this is one decision that Fletcher has called right. There is to be no silver bullet. England already have a squad from which to select  11 players fit enough and good enough to take on the Aussies.