Hit by a stomach bug, Paul Collingwood [ Images ] missed Wednesday's practice session even though the England [ Images ] captain is likely to play the fourth one-dayer against India [ Images ] at Manchester on Thursday.

Collingwood reportedly contracted cramps last night, prompting the team management to spare him for the practice session as a precaution.

England think-tank, however, is expecting the Durham player to recover well in time to lead the team in the day-night match at Old Trafford.

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Collingwood's proactive captaincy in the Edgbaston match earned him rich praise as his side led the seven-match series 2-1.

In case Collingwood fails to recover before tomorrow's day-night match, Andrew Flintoff [ Images ] could be asked to shoulder the responsibility but before that the talismanic all-rounder will have to clear a fitness test. Flintoff had missed Monday's match with a sore knee.

Kevin Pietersen [ Images ] could be another choice if Flintoff fails the test.

All-rounder Dimitri Mascarenhas [ Images ] too will have to pass a fitness test after he sat out of the third match with a hand injury.