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LONDON, Sept 6 (Reuters) - In-form England batsman Michael Vaughan is confident he will be fit for the Ashes series in Australia this winter despite facing a knee operation, he said on Friday. The Yorkshire opener, who was out for 195 in England's first innings on the second day of the fourth and deciding test against India on Friday, will have the operation on his right knee after the match, an England Cricket Board (ECB) spokesman said.

It means he will miss the ICC Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka later this month. Surrey all-rounder Rikki Clarke was called into the squad as a replacement on Friday.

Vaughan, who missed the 2001 home Ashes series, told Sky television: "I will definitely be fit for the Ashes - and that's the main thing."

Vaughan, aged 27, has scored 853 test runs in seven test matches this summer. On Friday he became the first man to be dismissed twice in the 190s in the same test series.

He made a career-best 197 in the second test against India at Trent Bridge and has scored four test centuries this summer, one of only five Englishmen to do so in an English season.

Vaughan added: "I was disappointed to get out today because I was looking to go beyond 200. But it was decent ball (he was caught behind off Zaheer Kahn). At least I didn't get it when I was on nought." He said a change in attitude had helped his game this summer.

"I am looking to be a lot more positive and Duncan Fletcher (the England coach) has been very helpful and taught me a few new tricks.

"I felt I could hit the ball all round the park yesterday."

England have now made three changes to their original Champions Trophy squad, with uncapped batting all-rounder Ian Blackwell replacing Andrew Flintoff (groin problem) while pace bowler James Kirtley was drafted in for Darren Gough (knee injury).

England squad:

Nasser Hussain (captain), Ian Blackwell, Paul Collingwood, Andrew Caddick, Rikki Clarke, Ashley Giles, Matthew Hoggard, Ronnie Irani, James Kirtley, Nick Knight, Jeremy Snape, Alec Stewart, Marcus Trescothick, Craig White.

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