Midfielder Kieron Dyer has withdrawn from the England squad after suffering a recurrence of a back problem.
Dyer trained with the rest of the squad this morning ahead of Wednesday's Euro 2004 qualifier against Macedonia but later succumbed to the back strain which he first felt in Saturday night's game in Slovakia.
He has been sent back to Newcastle to receive further treatment on the problem and will miss the qualifying tie at Southampton's St Mary's stadium.
His withdrawal reduces Sven-Goran Eriksson's left-sided options, with the England coach having to choose whether to keep faith with the midfield quarter that started in Macedonia but had to be reshuffled at half-time.
Dyer was another option for him on the left flank, while he could also opt for a front three of Emile Heskey, Michael Owen and Alan Smith.
PA