Former England captain Mike Gatting believes Kevin Pietersen should not walk straight back into the international set-up, even if he piles on the runs for Surrey this season.
Pietersen has returned to the LV= County Championship in a bid to stake a claim for an England recall, although the 34-year-old only managed 19 runs against Glamorgan on Sunday.
England were held to a draw in the opening Test of a three-match series against West Indies last week, and calls for a Pietersen comeback continue to linger ahead of the Ashes this summer.
"There are a few bridges that still need to be rebuilt," said Gatting, who had just penned a congratulation message to James Anderson, England's leading Test wicket-taker, as part of Slazenger's celebratory flag tour.
"Even if KP scores runs there might not be spaces available. If Gary Ballance, Ian Bell and Joe Root play well, there might not be a place for him.
"You've got to have somebody who isn't playing well to get Pietersen in.
"He doesn't just come straight back - that would be unfair on the people in there at the moment.
"If he does get runs, fine, but that's not the end of it.
"If people are playing well in the team, why should he just get straight in?"
Source: PA
