 England flew home following the attacks in Mumbai
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The England cricket squad could fly to a holding camp in Abu Dhabi on Thursday while a security report on the situation in India is prepared.
The BBC understands the squad is happy to travel to the United Arab Emirates before a final decision on the Test series is made, which may be next week.
England are set to play the first Test on 11 December if it is safe to do so.
But former England bowler Dominic Cork said he knew of five players who wanted to pull out of the tour.
Cork told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I know at least five who will turn their backs."
BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew said the series was still up in the air.
He added: "Having taken the players out of India, it is now in the board's interest to encourage them to take a rational decision about returning and clearly this is best done away from the family environment.
"I understand that some waverers seem happy to travel as far as Abu Dhabi but while the board might sell this as a sign the Test series is back on, the players will only make that decision when the security report is finalised and Chennai has been inspected by the PCA.
"It's possible that might not be until Monday. Both parties need to get the players to Abu Dhabi as quickly as possible. The cricketers need to get their minds on the possibility of playing a Test match next week and the board to encourage a bond within the team that might persuade the players to travel to India en bloc."
Professional Cricketers' Association chief executive Sean Morris hinted England players may head to Abu Dhabi.
Morris himself is flying to Chennai, where the first Test is scheduled, on Thursday to meet security advisor Reg Dickason to see if the England and Wales Cricket Board's safety and security recommendations are being put in place.
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What is the point of England taking a diluted squad?
Dominic Cork
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He told BBC Radio 4: "I don't think (the holding camp) is 100% confirmed yet.
"I know the logistics of preparing for the games are well developed. But I don't think it's set in stone yet.
"But I'm sure they're looking at that and if that's the case we will go and meet them in that camp."
Morris also said that no players had told him outright that they did not want to travel.
But he added: "The guys are very nervous because they are being asked to go into an environment which is not necessarily the safest place on the planet right now.
"They have asked me to assure them all security is in place and that's what we'll do and then it comes down to a very simple equation, it's either safe or it's not and then the decision is effectively one of the ECB's."
Morris also confirmed a number of peripheral players were on standby, should regular first-teamers like Andrew Flintoff and Steve Harmison, pull out, as they are rumoured to be contemplating.
Cork, who played in 37 Tests and 32 one-day internationals for England, refused to name the players involved but said the most important thing was that the squad stuck together.
He said: "Those I've spoken to are traumatised. What they saw on television was 10 times worse than what was shown here.
"If one doesn't go, they all shouldn't go. They make a stand and say 'it's not safe for us to be there'."
The two final one-day matches were cancelled after the attacks in Mumbai last week.
England returned home but have been offered a revised schedule, with the first Test in Chennai and the second starting in Mohali on 19 December.
The England and Wales Cricket Board has stressed that regardless of the security report findings, the players would not be forced to go.
Cork added: "I am not sure about the captain (Kevin Pietersen). I know of certain players who are going to put their families first.
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"I've spoken to players and they are very upset and feel they wouldn't be able to go out and play cricket in India.
"What is the point of England taking a diluted squad? You're going to India in their backyard. You have a big series against West Indies, and then Australia. It's not very good preparation. The guys will not be focused."
Matt Prior's agent Andy Smith has told the BBC, the wicketkeeper would return to India if the right assurances were given.
Smith said: "He takes the view that he's a professional cricketer and it's his job to go back with the team.
"He's discussed it with both Sussex and his family and along as he gets the right assurances, he'll return".
ECB chairman Giles Clarke said meetings had taken place with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on Tuesday and would continue on Wednesday, along with the PCA.
He said: "A lot of progress has been made and some extremely good and constructive meetings have taken place.
"The Board of Control for Cricket in India is doing all it can to facilitate the tour but we must do what we have to do properly and thoroughly. It is what every England player wants and deserves."
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