Pietersen in fear of 'dressing room freeze' after injury-enforced 'lay-off'

Star England batsman Kevin Pietersen is reportedly fearing that he could be frozen out in the England dressing room and made to feel like an outsider following his injury-enforced lay-off.

The batsman, who was forced to fly home from the tour of New Zealand in March due to serious bruising on his right knee, has began his Ashes fitness comeback as he played for Surrey in their County Championship game against Yorkshire, The Sun reports.

The report further said that Pietersen would be in England's side for their second Twenty20 international against New Zealand at The Oval on Thursday.

Stating that he still feels awkward visiting the dressing room as an injured player despite having an extensive career, Pietersen said that injuries are a player's worst nightmare and makes him feel like he is treading on eggshells with other players.

Pietersen further said that his latest injury, a badly bruised bottom of the femur, had been one of the worst of his career, adding that he was still in pain despite being on the strongest painkillers.

Pietersen, who will also play for England in a four-day Ashes warm-up match against Essex at Chelmsford, is a certainty to play in the First Test against Australia that starts at Trent Bridge on July 10 if he proves his fitness, the report added.