Michael Vaughan has urged the ECB to resolve the issues with Kevin Pietersen to allow the batsman to join the side in India.

Pietersen's international future is currently unclear after he was dropped for allegedly sending derogatory texts about Andrew Strauss to South African players this summer.

However, Vaughan believes that new captain Alastair Cook will need the 32-year-old for the winter tour of India.

"The issues have to be resolved, but if they have, I would want Kevin Pietersen batting at four," the former captain told BBC Five Live. "I don't think England have ever had a player like him. He's exceptional.

"If Alastair Cook wants him back in the team and all the issues have been resolved, I would not want to be waiting four games to get him back in."

Pietersen was not included in the squad to tour India, meaning a more realistic return could be during the series with New Zealand next February.