Buttler out as England mull spinners

England have dropped wicketkeeper Jos Buttler and replaced him with batsman James Taylor for their must-win third and final Test against Pakistan.

The 25-year-old Buttler has struggled with his batting over the last six months, averaging 13 since the start of the Ashes and 8.5 runs from his last four innings.

Jonny Bairstow will take over the gloves in his absence when the third Test begins in Sharjah on Sunday, with the tourists looking to recover after losing the second test in Dubai by 178 runs.

"Telling him (Buttler) was part of the job that is not much fun," England captain Alastair Cook said.

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Middle-order batsman Taylor has two England Test caps, but last played the longer form of the game three years ago against South Africa.

"He's itching to play and you don't average 47-48 in first-class cricket without being a fine player," Cook said of Taylor.

"One of his very strong points is that when he gets in he goes on to get big scores. We know how important first-innings runs are to set the game up."

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James Taylor has been recalled // Getty Images

Meanwhile, England's bowling line-up for the final Test is not so clear cut.

Fast bowler Mark Wood will be rested due to an ongoing ankle problem, and Liam Plunkett looms as his likely replacement.

However, England could instead opt for Samit Patel as a third spinner.

Cook admitted playing a third spinner would be a tough call, as his team seeks to level the series as New Zealand did against Pakistan in the UAE last year.

The Black Caps also used three spinners in Daniel Vettori, Mark Craig and Ish Sodhi to beat Pakistan by an innings in Sharjah, for a 1-1 result.

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Asked if England would play a third spinner in Patel in place of Wood, Cook said it was a tough call.

"That's the major decision we have to make," Cook said.

"Yesterday when we turned up they had just watered the wicket so it didn't give us too many clues.

"It will be really easy after the game in hindsight to see whether we've made the right decision but it will be a tough call."

If England lose the series 2-0, they will slump to as low as sixth in Test rankings and Pakistan will jump to their best-ever second spot.

Cook, who hurt his groin during the second Test, said he was feeling better.

"I feel fine ... I've been confident since the second day after that game. The medical team worked pretty hard on me and I felt fine from there. Hopefully it will be as normal."

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Cook undergoes treatment at training // Getty Images

England will also bring in James Taylor for Jos Butler to bolster their struggling batting.

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Cook warned England would have to be at their best to beat Pakistan, unbeaten in a series in the UAE since 2009.

"They (Pakistan) have a good record in the UAE, at all three grounds. We've got to play some good cricket. If we continue to play the way we have, we've got to earn the right to do that here."

Cook admitted Pakistan's leg-spinner Yasir Shah would again be a major threat.

"He bowled very well. He's got good control and bowls it pretty quickly for a leg-spinner. He'll always take wickets because of the amount of overs he bowls in a four-man attack.

"Hopefully this game I won't get out with him."