GRAEME Swann is hoping to finally make his Test debut this winter – almost ten years after first being called into an England squad.

The Notts off-spinner is the only uncapped player in the 15-man squad – team-mates Ryan Sidebottom and Stuart Broad are also included – who will play two Tests on the sub-continent in December.

Swann has previously been in squads for Tests against New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka without ever making the starting XI.

But with the possibility of two spinners being employed on wickets often conducive to turn, Swann, 29, is optimistic his time has finally come.

"I didn't know what to think until I got the call, but obviously it is nice to get in the squad," he said. "I know full well that the sub-continent is the best place to bowl spin, apart from Old Trafford!

"I'm desperate to get out there and hopefully get in the starting XI."

National selector Geoff Miller suggested the variation Swann's right-arm bowling can offer to premier spinner Monty Panesar's left-arm style, was key to his selection.

Swann believes he can form a useful partnership with a man he played with during his spell at Northants.

He said: "I played alongside him in his younger days and that's a partnership I'm definitely looking to renew.

"I have got the nod and I have to make sure I take my chance."

But Notts his team-mate Samit Patel has not made the squad after being talked about as a candidate following a fine season with bat and ball.

The 23-year-old, who made his one-day international debut against South Africa this summer, is determined to improve to earn a Test call.

"I thought I had a pretty good chance. You always hope you have done enough to get in the 15," he said.

"To play Test cricket at some point would be a great achievement – I wouldn't have dreamed of playing international cricket at the start of the year but I am in the one-day squad."