South Africa hope England leave Jos Buttler out of Tests claims Kevin Pietersen

Pietersen also believes he could still make an impact for England at the T20 World Cup in March, that the Test team will struggle against South Africa and says he is keen to explore a coaching career when he eventually hangs up his bat.

Buttler was dropped for the third Test against Pakistan three weeks ago after averaging only 8.5 runs from four innings in the UAE, but responded in stunning fashion during the one-day series.

In the final match, Buttler smashed England's fastest ever one-day century, in 46 balls, and finished 116 not out as Eoin Morgan's side took the series 3-1.

Pietersen has just returned from South Africa, where he has been playing T20 for Sunfoil Dolphins, and says England's opponents are delighted at the prospect of Buttler being left out.

"He should definitely be there playing but I don't see how they can play him in the first Test match, having dropped him from the last one," said Pietersen, speaking at the launch of the KP24 Foundation.

"And I know South Africa are really, really happy about that. I've been there, I was there for the two weeks when they dropped Buttler.

"And everyone in South Africa was like, 'You beauty, we don't have to bowl to a bloke who can win a Test match in a single session'.

"England can say they dropped him because he needed time away but he didn't have any time away, he got straight into an England shirt and scored massive runs 10 days later.

"I didn't like seeing him dropped, he shouldn't have been treated like that but Jos is a wonderful player and they have to do the business now."

An international recall for Pietersen was effectively ruled out in May by director of cricket Andrew Strauss, who said there remained a "massive trust issue" between the pair.

Pietersen, however, has enjoyed an impressive end to the year, scoring 342 runs in four T20 innings for the Dolphins, and the 35-year-old refused to rule out an England return.

"I'm 35, I've got years left of playing," Pietersen said.

"I've been very lucky - in all the franchises I've played in the last few years I've top scored in all of them.

"If the World T20 happens it happens. Of course I'd love to help Morgy and I'd love to go out there and do well.

"We won one in 2010 and if an opportunity came up I would grab it with both hands. Do I think I could still make an impact? 100 per cent I do. Of course."