England have been handed the news that pace bowler Mark Wood is set to miss this winter’s tour of South Africa due to injury.
An ankle injury has kept the 25 year old out, missing the final Test of England’s recent series in Pakistan, a tournament in which he took six wickets in two Tests.
In addition to the news of Wood, England have also confirmed that bowler Steven Finn is likely to miss the tour due to a foot injury.
Potential replacements include Chris Woakes, Liam Plunkett, Chris Jordan and Mark Footitt.
The tour begins on 15 December with a game against a South African Invitational XI, and England will play four Tests, five one-day internationals and two Twenty20s before the tour concludes on 21 February.
All-rounder Ben Stokes is likely to recover in time for the tour following a collar bone injury, suffered in the final Test of the defeat against Pakistan last month.
But James Anderson and Stuart Broad will both be available ahead of the upcoming tour as England look to bounce back from last month’s disappointing tour.