Ashley Giles has left the door open for Moeen Ali to return to the England Test team despite the all-rounder asking for a break from red-ball cricket.
The 32-year-old was dropped after the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston following a poor display and has only been handed a central contract in white-ball cricket.
Giles, managing director of the England men's team, believes some time away could be exactly what Moeen needs to rediscover his best form in the longer format of the game.
"Moeen has actually asked me if he could just take a step back from red-ball cricket, which is fine. He's not retiring, but he just wants a little bit of a break from Test cricket," Giles said.
"I think for all the guys, not just Moeen, it's been a really challenging summer. A World Cup, and Ashes back-to-back has had a massive effect on many of these guys psychologically as much as physically.
"Some of those guys are still carrying that and part of that will be Moeen. His experience in the first Test wasn't a great one, but that's cricket.
Surrey seamer Liam Plunkett, who has enjoyed a long international career, missed out on a while-ball contract, with England looking to the future.
"Disappointed is an understatement," Plunkett said on Twitter.
"In terms of numbers, I guess his paces have been down a little bit for some time," Giles admitted. "But it's also looking at those younger guys like (Sam) Curran, who is someone who is probably chasing a few of these guys.
"It's just unlucky. I think it's time and it's difficult to be the person who puts that pen through the name."
