England head coach Chris Silverwood says he will put no pressure on Cumbrian star Ben Stokes regarding selection for the T20 World Cup.

The all-rounder is taking an indefinite break from cricket to focus on his mental well-being.

Squads for the T20 World Cup must be submitted by Friday and it remains unclear whether Stokes will be available.

Silverwood says Stokes' welfare remains the more important concern and that any decision would be left as late as possible.

He said: "I haven't spoken to him yet, I'm giving him as much space as I can, but there are people talking to him outside of me.

"I will be putting no pressure on him, I will not be rushing him, and whatever support he needs he will get.

"My only concern is for him [is that] I want to make sure he is OK.

"Once I get to that, the rest of the questions will come, but first and foremost I need to make sure he is OK."

Stokes has played no part in the current Test series against India after the announcement he was stepping back from the game for a spell to focus on his mental health and his ongoing recovery from a finger injury.

His last international appearance came in July when he captained the against Pakistan. He also made two appearances for the Northern Superchargers in The Hundred.

The T20 World Cup starts in UAE and Oman on October 17.

A 15-man squad plus three reserves will be named, with the potential for changes to be made up to October 10.