BOLTON spinner Matt Parkinson is in line for his England Test debut at Lord’s against New Zealand this weekend.

The 25-year-old former Heaton youngster has been drafted in after Jack Leach was injured early in the first Test this morning.

Leach was withdrawn from the match after landing on his head while trying to save a boundary in the sixth over at Lord’s.

And the ECB moved quickly to announce the ex-Bolton School pupil as his replacement - England’s first ever concussion substitute.

Lancashire star Parkinson, who penned a new Red Rose deal in January until the end of the 2023 season, has played for the limited overs national side before, but he will make a long-awaited Test debut against the Black Caps.

His continued omission from the Test team has been the subject of widespread criticism from England supporters.

Parkinson, who has 126 wickets from 37 first-class games, travelled as part of the touring party to the West Indies in March but was not handed his first England cap.

Now he faces a 200-mile dash from Manchester to team up with the squad and could even be in the team later today alongside Lancashire bowling team-mate James Anderson.

Parkinson played for Lancashire just yesterday to help the team to a Vitality Blast win against Derbyshire Falcons at Emirates Old Trafford.

“He will join the camp later today and can go straight into our XI,” the ECB said.