Alastair Cook has insisted that it is vital that talks between the ECB and Kevin Pietersen are carried out in the correct way.

The Test captain could have Pietersen available for selection during this winter's tour of India if talks are successful and he believes that whatever the outcome, England must be able to move on as a team.

Cook said: "Clearly the meetings have been going on in the last 48 hours - everyone seems to know about that.

"As this process has gone on, clearly I'll say the same thing - we'll keep it behind closed doors and try to get the best possible outcome.

"We're all decent blokes in the camp and it's just important we get this process right. Obviously a lot's happened over the last two months and it's important to get it right so we can move on as England side altogether."

Pietersen has returned to South Africa following the talks on Wednesday.