Kevin Pietersen has claimed that England will not be at "full strength" for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand.

Pietersen's hopes of being recalled to the international set-up ahead of this summer's Ashes series were dashed earlier this month when new ECB director of cricket Andrew Strauss ruled out an immediate return for the controversial batsman.

The 34-year-old has made no secret of his desire to earn a place in the side and hit a career-best 355 not out playing for Surrey against Leicestershire last week.

However, caretaker coach Paul Farbrace is not permitted to select him for the New Zealand series, and Pietersen has suggested that a team without him would not be at full strength.

"He might be the only one who wants to use a team that's not allowed to be at full strength," he said on breathesport.com.

Pietersen has not played for his country since being sacked following the 5-0 Ashes whitewash Down Under in 2013-14.