Vaughan missed the whole of England's international series in India when his longstanding knee problem flared up again and that led to suggestions the 31-year-old could stand down from limited overs cricket in order to extend his Test career.

The Yorkshire batsman himself was the beneficiary of such an arrangement when he captained the one-day team after Nasser Hussain quit leading England in the shorter form of the game after the 2003 World Cup, a move that paved the way for Vaughan to also take over as Test captain later that year.

However, Graveney said fresh talk about two permanent captains was not something on his agenda or that of England coach Duncan Fletcher.

"It hasn't been a subject that has cropped up in my discussions -- which have mainly been about support for Vaughan -- or whatever discussions I've had with Duncan when I've made contact with him in India."

After regular vice-captain Marcus Trescothick also came home early from India, all-rounder Andrew Flintoff led England to a highly creditable 1-1 draw in the Test series before the side went down 5-1 in the one-dayers.

Andrew Strauss, who has captained Middlesex, also filled in as skipper when all-rounder Flintoff was rested to extend England's leadership options in the event of a permanent vacancy.

England were without several key players in India because of injury and some of those star names could yet be out of action come next month's first Test against Sri Lanka at Lord's.

As well as Vaughan, it looks as if England will be without left-arm spinner Ashley Giles, yet to start running again following his hip operation before Christmas, and fast bowler Stephen Harmison, who missed the one-day series in India with a shin problem.

But Trescothick (virus) and paceman Simon Jones (knee) are both hopeful of being available after lengthy spells on the sidelines.

Graveney was adamant that England would not repeat past mistakes and rush injured players back into action before they were fully fit, with an Ashes tour and World Cup on the horizon. Not to mention the home Test and one-day series against both Sri Lanka and Pakistan as well as the ICC Champions Trophy.