England, who lead the series 1-0 with two matches remaining, also included uncapped Warwickshire batsman Jonathan Trott in the squad for the match starting on Friday.
Monty Panesar was left out meaning Graeme Swann will provide captain Andrew Strauss with the spinning option on what is normally a seamer-friendly pitch. Harmison could replace Andrew Flintoff should the Lancashire all-rounder's knee injury rule him out, while left-arm seamer Sidebottom comes into the squad just as Stuart Broad's place has come under threat after a disappointing series with the ball.
Sidebottom has not featured in a Test since this year's tour of West Indies. “We will need to carefully assess the pitch and the overhead conditions at Headingley before finalising our 11 for this Test and the inclusion of Stephen Harmison and Ryan Sidebottom will give us different types of pace bowling options,” the ECB's national selector Geoff Miller said.
Squad: Andrew Strauss (captain), James Anderson, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Stuart Broad, Paul Collingwood, Alastair Cook, Andrew Flintoff, Steve Harmison, Graham Onions, Matt Prior, Ryan Sidebottom, Graeme Swann, Jonathan Trott.
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