Eoin Morgan has been dropped from the England squad for the two-Test tour against Sri Lanka that begins next month.

The 25-year-old Irishman is replaced by the Nottinghamshire all-rounder Samit Patel after struggling in all forms of the game against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates, with a top score of 31 from 17 innings.

James Tredwell, the Kent off-spinner, is a surprise inclusion, and Tim Bresnan returns for Graham Onions. Tredwell's only previous Test appearance came in Bangladesh two years ago, whereas Onions only came into the squad for the Pakistan series when Bresnan suffered a reaction after an elbow operation.

Patel, who has impressed the England management with his recent response to their persistent criticism of his physical condition and mental attitude, could now be in line for a Test debut – although Ravi Bopara, who retains his place in the squad, would seem to be the next batsman in line to take over from Morgan at No6.

"Eoin had a tough tour of the UAE and we all appreciate that," Geoff Miller, the national selector, told Radio 5 Live this morning. "He's got work to do on his Test game, that is for sure. That will be difficult for him actually because he's off to play in the IPL first. But I know him as a confident, unflappable character, and I'm sure he'll be wanting to re-establish his career in the Test arena.

"Yes, it looks at this moment in time that Ravi Bopara would take the place. But we'll wait and see what the conditions are like. We've also got Samit Patel in the squad who is a quality middle-order batsman and also bowls left-arm spin.

"I'm pretty sure what conditions they'll prepare for us, and if we play two seamers and two spinners as we did in the last two Tests against Pakistan, we'll need cover for the two spinners. Graeme Swann is being covered by James Tredwell, and Monty Panesar by Samit. Tredwell is a very strong character, he's been the next-in-line off-spinner, and he's been preparing himself so he's ready and working hard this winter."

While the main squad will depart for Sri Lanka on 10 March, seven members of the squad will travel to Sri Lanka ahead of the main touring party to acclimatise and begin preparations for the Test series. The England batting coach, Graham Gooch, will lead the training camp involving Andrew Strauss, Ian Bell, Steven Davies, Monty Panesar, Patel, Matt Prior and Tredwell. England have a pair of three-day warm-up games in Colombo before the first Test starts in Galle on 26 March.

England Test squad

Andrew Strauss (captain) (Middlesex), James Anderson (Lancashire), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Ravi Bopara (Essex), Tim Bresnan (Yorkshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Alastair Cook (Essex), Steven Davies (Surrey), Steven Finn (Middlesex), Monty Panesar (Sussex), Samit Patel (Nottinghamshire), Kevin Pietersen (Surrey), Matt Prior (Sussex), Graeme Swann (Nottinghamshire), James Tredwell (Kent), Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire)

Fixtures: 15-17 March vs Sri Lanka Board XI, Colombo, 20-22 March vs Sri Lanka Cricket Development XI, Colombo, 26 March first Test, Galle International Stadium, 3 April second Test, P Sara Oval, Colombo