England head coach Brendon McCullum said Archer is “ready to go” and will “come into calculations”.
Archer’s return could come as part of a refresh of an England attack that looked weary in conceding scores of 587 and 427-6 declared at Edgbaston.
India’s match total of 1,014 was the fourth-highest amount of runs scored by one team in a single Test.
Chris Woakes could be retained, partly because of an excellent record at Lord’s, where he has taken 32 wickets at an average of 12.90.
If Woakes is omitted, Sam Cook would be the most like-for-like replacement in the England squad.
Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue seem more likely to be rested, especially as the Durham bowler has been struggling with foot problems.
Archer would take one spot, leaving another for Gus Atkinson or Jamie Overton.
Atkinson is back in the squad after suffering a hamstring injury against Zimbabwe in May but may not be ready for this Test, leaving Surrey team-mate Overton in line for his second Test cap, three years after his first.
“Whatever England go with, it’s a huge risk,” said former England captain Michael Vaughan.
“I would have loved to see Archer play a bit more cricket. England believe he has done enough in terms of workload.”
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