Saturday 23 September 2017 14:56, UK
England bowler Toby Roland-Jones has suffered a stress fracture in his lower back and will miss the rest of the domestic season.
Seamer Roland-Jones, 29, was a strong contender to be included in England's Ashes squad - which is due to be announced on Wednesday - after taking 17 wickets at 19.64 apiece in his first four Tests.
But his participation in this week's Specsavers County Championship clash against Lancashire came to an early end when he required treatment for a back injury.
After a second set of scans, Middlesex have confirmed that the problem has been diagnosed as a stress fracture in his L5 vertebra.
Estimates suggest that a typical recovery time for an injury of Roland-Jones' type is between six and 12 weeks.
With England flying out on October 28 and the first Test against Australia a little over two months away, starting in Brisbane on November 23, the bowler is now a major doubt for the tour.
Roland-Jones' absence could open the door for Middlesex team-mate Steven Finn to return - while other pace options include Jake Ball and uncapped Somerset bowler Craig Overton.
The selectors are also keen to take Mark Wood on tour, with his extra pace such an asset, as long as he can continue to demonstrate his recovery from the heel problem which interrupted his summer.
Watch the third ODI between England and Windies live on Sky Sports Cricket from 10am on Sunday.
