Uncapped left-arm spinner Monty Panesar [Images] has been added as the 16th member of the England [Images] squad for the tour of India, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Friday.

Ian Blackwell has also been placed on standby to join the squad should Ashley Giles be ruled out through injury.

"Monty has done very well for Northamptonshire over a period of time and I am sure he will be really excited at the prospect of touring India," chairman of selectors David Graveney said on the ECB website.

The 23-year-old Panesar took 46 wickets at 21.5 runs apiece for Northamptonshire in eight county championship matches last season.

Giles's participation in the tour is in increasing doubt because the left-arm spinner is still troubled by a right hip problem despite undergoing surgery.

"Ashley has been experiencing discomfort in his right hip over the past fortnight following the operation he underwent in early December and saw a specialist in London [Images] on Tuesday," ECB's chief medical officer Dr Peter Gregory said.

"The medical team's current view is that it is unlikely that he will be fit for the start of the tour of India.

"But he will continue with his rehabilitation programme as pain allows and the medical team will continue to monitor his progress closely."

England leave for India on February 12. They will play three Tests, the first of which starts on March 1 in Nagpur, and seven one-day internationals.