CAPE TOWN: England captain Andrew Strauss says he expects Paul Collingwood to be fit to play in the third Test against South Africa, which starts on Sunday.

The all-rounder dislocated a finger during England's win in the second Test and was given only a 50-50 chance of playing by coach Andy Flower on Friday. But Strauss is more optimistic after watching him training at Newlands. "At this stage, everything looks fine," said Strauss. "We're very hopeful, barring any last-minute incidents."

England, who lead the four-match series 1-0 following their emphatic victory in Durban, are set to name an unchanged team, with batsman Michael Carberry having to wait a little longer for his Test debut. Collingwood joined in fielding drills and batted in the nets at Cape Town on Saturday without experiencing significant pain in his troublesome left index finger.

The 33-year-old, who picked up his injury during fielding practice ahead of the fourth day of the second Test, is in a rich vein of form. He was at the crease in the final stages to earn a draw in the first Test, and his knock of 91 in Durban laid the solid foundation needed for England's stunning victory.

South Africa have a formidable record in Cape Town, only losing to Australia at Newlands since their readmission to international cricket in 1991. Strauss is aware of the challenge facing his players as they look to wrap up the series with a match to spare. "In Test matches, you've always got to earn the right to get on top of the opposition -- and that's what I thought we did well in Durban, where we forced them to

stay in the field for over two days," said Strauss.

The England captain has warned his players against overconfidence as he seeks to avoid a repeat of the Ashes series, where England followed impressive performances at Lord's and Edgbaston with a humiliating innings defeat at Headingley. "It's very much a case of keeping our feet on the ground," he added.

Meanwhile, South Africa coach Mickey Arthur has revealed that his team will select the same battling line-up but that there could be changes in the bowling department. The home side collapsed to 50-6 in the second innings, with only two specialist batsmen reaching double figures, as England won the second Test by an innings and 98 runs.

"We are not panicking but there has been a lot of speculation around several places and that's understandable after such a poor performance," said Arthur. "But as far as our top six batsmen are concerned, I back them completely and I am convinced that they are the best we have. They have performed for us in the past and I back them to do it again."

Fast bowler Makhaya Ntini was playing his 101st Test at Durban but recorded figures of 0-114 from 24 overs and is thought to be the bowler most under pressure for his place. Dale Steyn returned for the second Test,

with Friedel de Wet losing his place despite taking five wickets in his maiden Test match, including 4-55 in England's second innings, compared to Ntini's two. Captain Graeme Smith said the decision over Ntini, the only black African in the team, was a delicate one. "It's a sensitive issue in South Africa. That's being honest," he said.