Kevin Pietersen's absence from the England's T20 squad won't dramatically affect their World Cup chances in Sri Lanka, according to Graeme Swann.

Pietersen won the player of the tournament award during England's victorious campaign in the West Indies in 2008, but after falling out with the selectors, will miss the tournament.

And Swann, also part of that winning England side says his prolonged absence from the international set up won't hurt their chances of retaining the trophy.

Kevin Pietersen and Graeme Swann
Swann says the absence of Pietersen may not be crucial. Reuters

"Of course we can win it without any single player," said Swann.

"Obviously he [Pietersen] is a world-class player and was the player of the tournament in the West Indies. Ideally he would still be a part of the team but hopefully when we get out there the guys who fill that position will do it well.

"Last time we played without him, Alex Hales got 99. The pressure comes from outside. If people focus on it then it will build but for the guys who come in they are getting an opportunity and there is always pressure to perform when that happens.

"Look at Jonny Bairstow at Lord's last week.

"Arguably he was the stand-out batsman in the match and performed better than anyone else. Everyone will take a great deal of confidence from that."

While possessing a number of exciting youngsters who can fill Pietersen's role as an explosive force in the middle order, with the likes of Hales and Bairstow both included in the squad, the lack of a genuine world class player in their batting line up could prove vital.

Following preliminary talks between Pietersen and the England and Wales Cricket Board, additional discussions over his prolonged involvement in the international area are expected to follow, with squads, which leave on 25 October for the winter tour, which calls at India, expected to be announced in due course.

After being dropped for the third test match against South Africa at Lord's after allegedly sending texts to opposing members of the Proteas squad concerning then captain Andrew Strauss, Pietersen has been frozen out of all forms of cricket with England.

India South Africa