England head coach Brendon McCullum confirmed he and captain Ben Stokes remain good friends and expressed confusion over the source of any suggested tension between them.

The duo met again on Tuesday ahead of England's decisive Test versus New Zealand after Stokes sat out the second match due to a nightclub incident in London.

Both men had already rejected reports of strain during the 4-1 Ashes loss in Australia, yet McCullum continued to face queries about their working relationship while Stokes was unavailable.

At Trent Bridge two days before the third Test, McCullum disclosed that the pair had spoken in person earlier that morning.

"I asked whether he knew how talk about our relationship had started over the past six months," McCullum recounted.

"He replied that he had no idea. I told him that I still regard him as a good friend."

Stokes and bowler Gus Atkinson were ruled out of the heavy loss in the second Test while an inquiry examined a breach of the squad curfew after the first-Test win at Lord's.

They were present when an England security official was hit by a Saracens rugby player.

Both players have now been cleared to return, with Stokes resuming as captain for the third Test.

Two days before the Oval match McCullum held a subdued press conference in which he voiced repeated "worry" and "concern" for Stokes.

Durham head coach Ryan Campbell later described Stokes as being in "good spirits," while county chief executive Tim Bostock said he was "bemused" by McCullum's remarks.

On Tuesday McCullum added: "My earlier view was that I felt slightly concerned and worried. My current view is that he looks excellent and ready to play.

"He appears in great shape, is keen for the week ahead and it is pleasing from our perspective to have the group reunited.

"Working closely with Ben over the past four years has been a privilege. I recall fondly how united we were as a team and as a partnership. Anything beyond that is outside our control. Ben and I are close."

England trained at Nottingham on Tuesday afternoon. The session opened with Stokes and McCullum sharing an embrace before they discussed selection matters with Marcus North. The squad for the third Test was due to be announced later that day.

During his time away from the England side Stokes played two days of Durham's County Championship fixture against Northamptonshire.

The 35-year-old's unbeaten 95 at Chester-le-Street marked his highest score in any form of cricket since last July.

"I felt he batted superbly," McCullum said. "He even messaged me to ask if I had watched the highlights.

"I confirmed I had, and he replied: 'I'm back.'"

After the Oval defeat England again face scrutiny over both on-field results and off-field behaviour.

Stokes, McCullum and director of cricket Rob Key all received support after the series loss in Australia.

Yet with the series level at 1-1, England risk another defeat. They have secured only two wins in their previous nine Tests.

A series loss to New Zealand would be just their second at home since 2014, also against the same opponents in 2021. England have not lost a home series of three or more matches since falling to South Africa 14 years ago.

"Anyone can lead in good times," McCullum observed. "True leadership is shown when conditions are tough.

"I recall speaking with Eoin Morgan after the 2015 World Cup. I am very close to him. He asked what I thought he should do.

"I told him tough times do not last but tough people do. The same applies here. You must be ready to endure difficult periods, hold your nerve and keep the side steady, knowing better times will follow."

McCullum also revisited the midnight curfew rules, having earlier acknowledged some "ambiguity" after the Oval loss.

The restriction was introduced following several off-field issues during the Ashes.

Although the incident involving Stokes and Atkinson occurred after the first Test had finished, England maintained the curfew remained active.

Rob Key noted that Atkinson had claimed he was unaware the rule was still in force.

"The expectations around the curfew, our protocols and standards are now well known," McCullum said.

"There is a right time and place to relax and we will always support that.

"Excess is not acceptable, and when errors occur we must correct them before moving forward together as a team. That is our current position."

A single week can alter the mood dramatically.

Before the second Test the atmosphere at McCullum's press conference was subdued. He avoided several chances to endorse Stokes as player and captain, and his comments about worry and concern prompted numerous theories.

At Trent Bridge McCullum appeared positive, referring to his "good friend" Stokes and noting that the group had been reunited.

He revealed they had spoken for more than an hour on Tuesday morning and that Stokes would address the squad before training.

When England reached the field McCullum walked directly to Stokes and they shared a brief hug. After that, normal preparations resumed.

Stokes is scheduled to speak to the media on Wednesday, his first public comments since immediately after the Lord's victory. At that time he spoke of looking forward to a celebratory drink with teammates. The following fortnight brought controversy for English cricket.

England surrendered their series advantage over New Zealand and now face a must-win decider. Tuesday's training session felt relaxed. The mood will change sharply if England lose this deciding Test.