Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge fears an extended spell out of action after tearing a hip muscle, England manager Roy Hodgson has revealed.
Sturridge picked up the injury during last Sunday's 2-1 Premier League defeat at home to Manchester United.
He reported at England's training camp in Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ahead of their Euro 2016 qualifier against Lithuania at Wembley on Friday. But after being assessed by their medical staff, the 25-year-old had to pull out of the squad, and a scan has shown the seriousness of the injury.
Hodgson told British national newspapers: "I'm a little bit disappointed for Daniel Sturridge, because when he came to us, he didn't really feel that the slight problem he felt would be any problem at all.
"When we did the scan and it turned out that there was a problem, he was absolutely devastated, because he didn't want to leave us.
"There was no option, because he had a slight tear, and you can't play through that."
Sturridge has been beset by injuries this season, beginning with a thigh problem suffered during an England training session on Sept. 5, 2014.
He was close to a comeback when he sustained a calf problem during a Liverpool practice session on Oct. 16, and a second thigh injury while training with his club on Nov. 18.
Those three injuries kept Sturridge out of action for almost five months, and he did not return until the Reds' Premier League home match against West Ham on Jan. 31, scoring in a 2-0 win.
His Liverpool teammate Adam Lallana has also pulled out of the England squad with a groin injury sustained against United. In addition, manager Brendan Rodgers must cope without captain Steven Gerrard and centre-back Martin Skrtel for the next three matches, as they serve suspensions.