Guards outside the England team hotel in India last week [AFP]

A security expert has begun inspecting venues in India to decide whether it is safe for England to return for a two-Test series following last week's attacks in Mumbai.

Reg Dickason, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) security manager, met police and cricket authorities in Chennai, where it has been proposed the first Test will take place from December 11-15.

The Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI) in India said on Wednesday that it expected "no problem" in Chennai.

"Based on the discussions held and the clarifications given, BCCI expects no problem with the first Test being held in Chennai," secretary N. Srinivasan said in a statement.

Mohali next

The two boards have agreed to play the Tests depending on security clearance and Dickason will travel to Mohali, the second venue, before submitting his report to the ECB.

The BCCI switched the matches out of Ahmadabad and Mumbai to ease the safety fears of England players, who returned home after calling off the last two games of a one-day series amid the attacks, which killed 171 people.

At least five England players, however, could pull out even if the tour went ahead, former Test bowler Dominic Cork told the BBC.

"I know of at least five or six players who are going to turn their backs on England," he said.

"Those I've spoken to are traumatised. What they saw on television was 10 times worse than what was shown here (in England).

"If one doesn't go, they all shouldn't go. They make a stand and say 'it's not safe for us to be there'."

Commando support

Pietersen is facing a testing time in the early days of his captaincy [GALLO/GETTY]

An International Cricket Council (ICC) spokesman, meanwhile, dismissed reports the sub-continent could lose the 2011 World Cup due to safety fears following the raids.

"It is media speculation, no basis for those comments," he said from ICC's Dubai headquarters.

The one-day World Cup is due to be jointly hosted by India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in early 2011.

"It is two-and-a half years before the tournament. It is not an issue at this point in time and we look forward to a fantastic event."

Pakistan is also grappling with security worries in the wake of a spate of suicide bomb attacks.

The ICC postponed September's Champions Trophy to late next year after five of the eight teams threatened a boycott.

The Mumbai attacks have also strained political ties between India and Pakistan, dimming hopes India would allow its cricket team to tour across the border next month.

The Pakistan board is hoping England tour India to pave the way for their neighbours to come in January-February.

"England must tour India for the two Tests despite the carnage caused by the Mumbai attacks," Saleem Altaf, Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) chief operating officer said in Karachi.