Swann to fly home early

Spinner to focus on returning in time for the World Cup

Last updated: 25th January 2011

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It's frustrating to return home from the tour early but the priority for me now is the World Cup.

Graeme Swann has turned his attentions to regaining full fitness in time for the World Cup after his tour to Australia was ended by a back injury.

The 31-year-old has been ruled out the remainder of the ODI series, which England trail 3-0, due to the lower back strain.

Swann will now return home in a bid to be fit for the World Cup opener against Holland on February 22.

"It's frustrating to return home from the tour early but the priority for me now is the World Cup and getting my body right so that I am able to play an important role for England throughout the tournament," Swann said.

"I will be following the rest of the series and hope to see England put in some positive performances over the next fortnight.

"I've had the time of my life over here and bringing back the Ashes is something that will always stay with me."

Swann had already been sidelined by a knee injury suffered in the opening Twenty20 international - with England opting to take no risks following the latest setback

"It is best for him to go home and get ready for the World Cup," said England team director Andy Flower.

"It is a big blow because he is an important part of our side.

World-class

"He is a world-class performer and he is full of confidence after the Ashes, but these things happen.

"We are coming towards the end of a long, hard tour and certainly the physical challenges are starting to take their toll."

Swann is the latest player to fly home early, following Tim Bresnan's departure with a calf injury.

And Flower added: "Bresnan has a grade one or two tear of his calf muscle, but we expect he will also be fit for the first game of the World Cup."

It is not all bad news on the fitness front for England, though, with Kevin Pietersen and James Anderson set to play on Wednesday, while Stuart Broad has begun bowling in the nets again.

"There are two players coming back, one from injury and one from rest," Flower added.

"James Anderson is back and he's available for selection. Stuart Broad I don't anticipate being ready for any games in this series but it's good to have him out here with the squad. He's going to be an integral part of our World Cup campaign.

"Having him out here, training with us and working with our sports science people is where he should be.

"We anticipate him being ready for the start of the World Cup as well."