Vaughan targets third test return-report

LONDON, Nov 9 (Reuters) Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan hopes he may be able to play in the final three Ashes tests, the Independent newspaper reported today.

Vaughan has not played for England since last December because of a knee injury but had been targeting the fourth test against Australia, starting in Melbourne on Dec. 26.

However, he told a lunch at the National Sporting Club in London on Wednesday that he hoped to be playing cricket again in three weeks.

That would make him available for a two-day match with Western Australia on Dec. 9-10 ahead of the third test beginning in Perth on Dec. 14.

Vaughan was quoted in today's Independent as saying: ''I hope to be playing cricket again in three weeks.

''The knee is coming on well and by that time I hope to be able to put a call in and say 'I'm available to play.''' But he added: ''Whether it takes two games, five games or a month to be match-fit is up to the selectors.'' In 2005, Vaughan captained England to their first Ashes series win for 18 years. The first test starts on Nov. 23 in Brisbane.

REUTERS AY RK1025