Matthew Potts and the uncapped Dillon Pennington again sit out, having being part of the squad for the first Test at Lord’s. In Pennington’s case, the Nottinghamshire bowler misses the chance to make a Test debut on his home ground.
England, 1-0 up, can win the series at Trent Bridge and thus earn their first Test series win since the tour of Pakistan in 2022.
There are likely to be further changes to the pace-bowling attack for the third Test at Edgbaston next week, given the congested nature of the series.
Woakes, 35, wins his 50th cap and assumes the role of attack leader now Anderson has followed long-term new-ball partner Stuart Broad into retirement.
Indeed, this will be England’s first home Test without at least one of Anderson or Broad in their side since 2012.
Surrey’s Atkinson, 26, took match figures of 12-106 at Lord’s, the fourth-best by a bowler on Test debut in the history of the game.
West Indies are waiting on the fitness of pace bowler Shamar Joseph after he struggled with a left hamstring injury at Lord’s.
The 24-year-old bowled in the nets at Trent Bridge on Tuesday and is not thought to be a doubt at this stage.