Paul Collingwood has described James Anderson as "a real leader" among England's bowlers and cannot wait to have him back in the side for tomorrow's opening one-day international against South Africa at the Wanderers.

The Lancashire seamer is struggling with a knee injury and is one of several bowlers who have been on the injured list.

Stuart Broad (shoulder) is the other paceman struggling, while Graham Onions (back) played his first match on tour on Tuesday.

It has prompted the selectors to call on Liam Plunkett as cover.

While England's batsmen have had no trouble adapting to the conditions, their bowling seems to be a minor problem area, having taken 10 opposing wickets only once in their first six tour games.

That was in the opening game against the Eagles, when both Anderson and Broad played, but Collingwood is not too concerned.

"I wouldn't say it's a major concern," he said. "I think we're aggressive as a unit, I think we're getting more experience and we've got Jimmy Anderson to come back into the side, which is crucial.

"I think he's a real kind of leader for us now in terms of the bowling stakes. For such a young guy, I know that's a big statement, but he is a real leader.

"But, again, we've got a lot of potential and very dangerous bowlers, with Broady coming back in as well. We have missed those two. Hopefully they will be fit pretty soon and we can get back to bowling sides out."

Collingwood has missed the last two games with a back injury and his absence alongside the two frontline seamers, Graeme Swann (intercostal muscle) and Alastair Cook (back) left England with just 11 fit players against South Africa A.

Most of those injuries are expected to clear by tomorrow, with only Broad considered extremely doubtful.

Collingwood continued: "(The injury) is progressing really well. It was very sore on Sunday and I had two injections on Monday.

"Everything seems to have settled down, I'm doing the work in the gym and progressing really well, so I've got a very good chance for Friday."