England and Durham star Ben Stokes going under the knife for knee operation that will keep him out until mid-July

BEN STOKES will undergo a knee operation on Tuesday and is expected to be out of action until mid-July.

The Durham all-rounder is unlikely to return to action for England until the First Test against Pakistan at Lord’s on July 14.

A scan on Sunday revealed minor cartilage damage to his left knee and Stokes will see a specialist in London with surgery due this afternoon.

It is a relatively minor procedure to “clear out” the joint and he could be back in training within a fortnight and ready to play again by the end of next month.

But England will err on the side of caution with one of their most prized assets and Stokes will not be risked during the white ball matches against Sri Lanka which run from June 21 to July 5.

Stokes felt his knee lock while bowling on day two of England’s crushing win by an innings and 88 runs over Sri Lanka in the First Test at Headingley.

He attempted to field on day three but lasted just four overs before returning to the dressing-room for more treatment.

As expected, Stokes has been replaced in England’s 12-man squad for the Second Test at Chester-le-Street on Friday by Warwickshire all-rounder Chris Woakes.

Woakes and uncapped Nottinghamshire seamer Jake Ball will contest the place vacated by Stokes.

Durham will be disappointed by Stokes’ absence because they were hoping he would have attracted a late surge in ticket sales at his home ground.

Match organisers were encouraging fans to watch the cricket team during the day before moving on to Sunderland for the England football friendly against Australia.

Meanwhile, Jonny Bairstow has vehemently insisted he wants to continue keeping wicket for England – rather than play as a specialist batsman.

Several pundits, including former England captains Nasser Hussain and Mike Atherton, reckon in-form Bairstow should bat at No.5 with white ball king Jos Buttler taking over the gloves at No.7.

But Bairstow bristles at the suggestion.

He said: “For the 52nd time in two weeks, yes, I do want to keep wicket. I think this needs to be swept under the table now and put to bed. I think I’ve been asked it too many times.

“As I’ve said numerous times before, I wouldn’t have kept wicket for Yorkshire for seven years if I didn’t want to keep wicket for England.

“I’ve worked very hard on my keeping and I’ll continue to do so. I wouldn’t have put in the hours during the winter and leading into this season if I didn’t want to keep wicket.

“I’ve done about 15 sessions with the England wicketkeeping coach Bruce French since we’ve been back from the winter tours.”

Bairstow was Match of the Match at Headingley for his superb innings of 130 on his home ground and, while he is desperate to keep the gloves, he would be prepared to move up the order.

He explained: “I’ll bat wherever. No.5 is the position I bat for Yorkshire and keep wicket so, if that opportunity comes up, it comes up. But I’m happy at seven.

“I don’t really want to think about it too much because right now I’m happy playing my cricket, seeing the ball and trying to catch the ball.”