Controversial England cricketer Ben Stokes is to resume his international career in New Zealand next month.

England have previously deemed the Kiwi-born allrounder unavailable for selection since his arrest following an incident in Bristol in September but the England and Wales Cricket Board's 13-strong management board has decided that suspension should end.

They debated the matter, with chairman Colin Graves contributing from New Zealand via conference call, after the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed on Monday that Stokes would appear at a magistrates' court at an unspecified date charged with affray.

"Following a full board discussion, in which all considerations were taken into account, the ECB Board has agreed that Ben Stokes should now be considered for England selection," an ECB statement said.

"Given the CPS decision to charge him and two others with affray, confirmation of his intention to contest the charge and the potential length of time to trial, the board agreed that it would not be fair, reasonable or proportionate for Ben Stokes to remain unavailable for a further indeterminate period."

Stokes will return to the side in the latter part of the Twenty20 tri-series, also involving Australia.

His first appearance is scheduled for a match against the Black Caps in Wellington on February 13.

The teams meet again in Hamilton five days later, while the tri-series final is scheduled for February 21 in Auckland.

Stokes' unavailability for two earlier tri-series matches in Australia is believed to be in case there is a court appearance he would have to attend.

Stokes, 26, has already played a handful of games in New Zealand, the country of his birth, after the ECB cleared him to join Canterbury while England unsuccessfully contested the Ashes in his absence.

Alex Hales, who was present with Stokes on the night in question, has already returned to the England side after Avon and Somerset Police made it clear no charges would be brought against him.