DARREN GOUGH has backed England's misfiring young quicks to rediscover their best form very soon.

Veteran paceman Gough has sympathy for Steve Harmison and James Anderson, whose recent dips in productivity have been in sharp contrast to their successes over the past two years.

Harmison began the tour of South Africa as the world's number one Test bowler but accounted for only nine victims in the 2-1 series victory and was left nursing an injured left calf.

Fellow pace bowler Anderson lacked any kind of rhythm in his one Test appearance, the 77-run win at Johannesburg, and was wayward against South Africa A last week when his nine overs cost more than seven runs apiece.

But the 34-year-old Gough insisted: "Confidence plays a big part for bowlers in Test cricket. The same is happening to Steve and Jimmy, you have a couple of games when things don't go your way.

"I don't think Steve is doing that much wrong. He has had catches dropped and he just needs that spark to set him off again."

Both according to Gough have the attributes - extreme pace and bounce for Harmison and an ability to arc the ball late from Anderson - to hit back with a vengeance.

" Steve is a quality bowler," reflected Gough. "He is six-and-a-half feet and bowls at 90 miles per hour so I don't think it will be too long before he is taking wickets again.

"The same with Jimmy. If he comes out of this he will be a lot stronger and a better bowler for it.

"He needs to turn the corner but I have not seen a bowler anywhere in the world that can bowl deliveries like Jimmy Anderson can bowl.

"You often watch him and think, 'how did he do that?' He swings the ball so late that it looks like it's going down the legside but clips off stump."