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• England 'realistic' about chances in Pakistan, says McCullum

  Brendon McCullum says England are going into their three-match Test series against Pakistan with "realistic" expectations, and anticipates a tough test from their hosts.

  England became the first side to achieve a 3-0 clean sweep in Pakistan during their last tour in 2022.

  And Pakistan have had no success on home soil in the last two years, with a 1-0 defeat by Australia in early 2022 setting off a 10-match winless run, with Bangladesh the latest to triumph against them.

  England are without captain Ben Stokes though, as he was ruled out of the first Test after failing to recover from a hamstring tear in time.

  Despite recent history suggesting England may just have an edge, McCullum is taking nothing for granted.

  "We go in with high hopes," McCullum told BBC Sport. "There will be no excuses whatsoever if we don't get where we need to get.

  "We're also realistic this is going to be a tough series, because Pakistan in their own conditions, as history would suggest, it's a tough ask."

  McCullum also brushed off concerns he was worried about not having James Anderson, who has been acting as their fast-bowling consultant since his retirement, with them for the first day.

  "Jimmy has been a great resource for us, but prior to that, we didn't have a pace-bowling coach as such," he added.

  "In the world we live in, communication is easy. Jimmy is in constant communication with the guys. I don't think it's a big issue."

  For Pakistan, Shan Masood has lost all five Tests since being appointed captain last November, including the 2-0 defeat to Bangladesh in August.

  "There is a lot of hurt within the players," Masood said. "This year, 2024, has not been a good year for Pakistan cricket all over, and we like to see our fans happy.

  "The answer is to be positive. We let the past go. We have tried to maintain consistency in selection. We haven't had any chopping and changing because we have lost a few games.

  "We believe in this set of players and with Jason Gillespie we wanted to create a squad mentality. The players are being backed to turn things around."

  The first Test between England and Pakistan begins on Monday in Multan. 

• Stokes to have scan on hamstring injury before Pakistan tour

  Ben Stokes will have a scan on his hamstring injury next week with the England captain in a race to be fit for their first Test in Pakistan.

  Stokes sustained the injury at the start of August and was subsequently absent from the series win over Sri Lanka.

  The 33-year-old revealed earlier this month he was being cautious with his recovery rather than risking further damage with a premature return.

  As well as netting throughout his recovery, Stokes has also featured in this week's Celebrity Pro-Am at the PGA Championship in Wentworth.

  Despite the issue, he has been named as captain of England's 17-man squad, which is due to depart on October 1 before beginning the three-match series six days later.

• Gibbs-White: England job 'suits Carsley perfectly'

  Morgan Gibbs-White believes Lee Carsley is a perfect fit for the England job and has backed the interim head coach to get the full-time position.

  Gibbs-White is one of four new players, along with Angel Gomes, Tino Livramento and Noni Madueke, to be called up in Carsley's first England squad for the start of their Nations League campaign.

  The Nottingham Forest captain was a key player for Carsley in the U21s, making 15 appearances under him, and was also part of the Under-21 European Championship win last year.

  England won all six of their matches at the tournament in Romania and Georgia, scoring 11 goals and overperforming their expected goals (xG) figures by 2.5.

  Their defensive solidity was just as important to their success though, as they did not concede a single goal from 79 shots faced.

  And Gibbs-White thinks that with his credentials, Carsley should be a real contender to become the permanent England manager.

  "I know how he works, he's a great manager tactically, man-management is great," Gibbs-White said.

  "I was buzzing when I found out that he got the job as he really deserved it, and I feel like it suits him perfectly.

  "Hopefully the games go well for him, and you never know what the future holds."

  Madueke, another of the players to make the move up from England U21, also has faith that Carsley will do well in the role.

  The Chelsea winger made 19 appearances under the 50-year-old, with only Taylor Harwood-Belis (21) being handed more caps than him.

  "He has great ideas, and he is also able to implement the way he wants to play, like in your mind, and make it easy for you," Madueke told BBC Radio 5 Live. "I feel as though all of the top managers have that.

  "Definitely I couldn't speak more highly of him. I feel as though he is a great manager. I feel as though he knows the pathway, he knows the system.

  "He knows the FA; he has been working at the FA for a long time. [He is] similar to Gareth [Southgate] in that sense, so I hope he can do extremely well.

  "I have got all the belief in him for sure."

  England begin their Nations League campaign against the Republic of Ireland in League B Group 2 before hosting Finland on Tuesday.