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Daniel Vettori could play in the second Test against England after joining the New Zealand squad earlier than planned.

The left-arm spinner was originally named in the Kiwis' squad for the one-day series and Champions Trophy.

But the 34-year-old may replace Bruce Martin, who will return home with a calf injury suffered in the first Test defeat at Lord's.

An Achilles tendon injury has prevented Vettori from playing Test cricket since July 2012.

The second and final Test at Headingley starts on Friday.

With 360 victims, the former captain is New Zealand's second highest Test wicket-taker and the most successful left-arm spinner in history.

The return of a player who has scored 4,516 Test runs at an average of 30.10 would also bolster a side that were bowled out for 68 in the second innings at Lord's.

"Daniel's come over 24 hours earlier for us to have a chance to have a look at him," said New Zealand coach Mike Hesson.

"We won't risk Dan for the sake of a Test but, in saying that, it is an important Test match for us.

"We won't be pushing Dan if he's not ready but if he is we'd certainly love to have him."

Vettori's most recent Test was the in Antigua almost a year ago, and his only international cricket since was at the World Twenty20 in October.

in March before travelling to the Indian Premier League, where he failed to make an appearance for Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Should he line up at Headingley, Vettori will become New Zealand's most-capped player. He and Stephen Fleming share the record of 111 Tests for New Zealand, but Vettori also made one appearance for the ICC World XI.

"He's done plenty of bowling in the last couple of months in the IPL, albeit in the nets," added Hesson. "It's a matter of whether we think he's going to be able to get through five days of a Test match."

The tourists also have concerns over wicketkeeper BJ Watling, who suffered a knee injury at Lord's.

He will be monitored ahead of Headingley, with Tom Latham his likely replacement.

However, if New Zealand opt to strengthen their batting, Martin Guptill could play and captain Brendon McCullum take the gloves.

McCullum took over from Watling during the first Test, but has not kept in a full Test since 2010.