Michael Vaughan is certain that Kevin Pietersen should remain integral to England's future plans amid rumours that he may be axed by the national team.

There has been speculation suggesting that the likes of the 33-year-old batsman may no longer be called upon by England in the wake of their Ashes humiliation, with younger players being given more of a chance to show what they are capable of.

"My fear is that they're going to get rid of Pietersen and think that's the way to move forward," Vaughan told BBC Sport. "I just think that's the completely wrong approach.

"I'd be getting Pietersen close to the management. You don't want him making decisions but I'd have him vice-captain, near that think tank because we've got so many people making decisions that are all too similar. Cook, Flower, Gooch are all very similar personalities, Pietersen would add a different dimension, the other end of the spectrum, and you meet half way, that's part of leadership that you need the odd maverick.

"England have become boring, it is a brand of cricket that is not what I like watching and it comes across in their interviews. I think they've got to liven up a bit more."

Pietersen has himself claimed that he wants to be a part of the 2015 Ashes series.