Steve Davies and Chris Tremlett in England's squad for Pakistan Tests

Steven Davies has been recalled to the England squad after an absence of almost a year for the three-Test series against Pakistan in Dubai and Abu Dhabi next year. The Surrey wicketkeeper will travel as cover for Matt Prior having been selected ahead of Yorkshire's Jonny Bairstow, who misses out completely as Ravi Bopara retains his place as reserve batsman. Davies has been neglected since his surprising omission from England's World Cup squad in January, shortly before he became the first international cricketer to come out as gay. However, the 25-year-old will have more relevant experience of playing in the UAE than most of the rest of the squad, as he was included in the MCC side who faced Nottinghamshire in Abu Dhabi in March. He made 64 in that game, sharing a partnership of 121 with Rahul Dravid, and then top-scored with 48 from 30 balls in a t20 match in Dubai – with fears that his sexuality might become an issue in the Emirates, where homosexual behaviour is illegal, proving unfounded. He also had a good summer with Surrey, passing 1,000 first-class runs and playing a key role in their late-season surge to promotion from Division Two of the County Championship. "He's continued to progress in domestic cricket and showed what a quality player he is," said Geoff Miller, England's national selector, when he explained Davies's recall on Sky Sports News. "There are one or two other keeper-batters knocking on the door, which is great for us. But Steven has shown what he is capable of doing so remains as the second wicketkeeper." Davies's occasional county team-mate Chris Tremlett also returns after recovering from a back injury sustained in the first Test of England's 4-0 whitewash of India last summer. Tremlett is currently training in South Africa with James Anderson and Stuart Broad, two more of the quintet of fast bowlers selected by England. Broad is also returning after injury, in his case to a shoulder, and Tim Bresnan has had an elbow operation, while Steve Finn has been playing domestic cricket in New Zealand. Monty Panesar is selected to provide spinning support to Graeme Swann, and Miller agreed that the surfaces in the UAE could lead to his first Test appearance since the 2009 Ashes series, adding: "Monty had a super season with Sussex last year and he could play a very good part." Eoin Morgan returns after shoulder surgery. He is currently preparing in India with Prior and the captain, Andrew Strauss. Pakistan have continued their recent good form by dominating the first day of their Test against Bangladesh in Chittagong. England have also announced a four-year extension of their deal with Adidas, who have been supplying their match and training kit since 2008. Squad: Strauss (capt), Cook, Trott, Pietersen, Bell, Morgan, Bopara, Prior, Davies, Broad, Anderson, Bresnan, Finn, Tremlett, Swann, Panesar. Dates: First Test: Dubai, Jan 17-21; Second Test: Abu Dhabi, Jan 25-29; Third Test: Dubai, Feb 3-7.