Manchester United defender Gary Neville ruled himself out of England's World Cup squad because of a broken bone in his left foot.
Neville's hopes of playing at the finals in Japan and South Korea were left in tatters when he broke a metatarsal bone in his left foot during Manchester United's Champions League semi-final first leg with Bayer Leverkusen last month.
A statement issued by United today said: "Following discussions between Gary Neville, the Manchester United medical staff and the club's orthopaedic consultant, it has been agreed that, even with the most optimistic prognosis, Gary will not reach full match fitness by the start of the World Cup.
"Consequently Gary has decided to notify the England manager today of his unavailability for the squad.
"He felt it would have been unfair on the other players and everyone involved with the England set-up to wait for three more weeks before knowing for sure."
As soon as his injury happened it seemed as if the 27-year-old Neville's chances of making the finals in Japan and South Korea had disappeared with doctors saying he needed at least six weeks for recovery.
His injury was similar to that suffered by United team-mate and England captain David Beckham.
But the midfielder sustained his injury in a Champions League quarter-final on April 10th and is expected to learn his fate over the weekend.
Neville's injury could, ironically, leave the door open to a World Cup place for his brother Phil when England boss Sven Goran Eriksson announces his squad on Thursday.
He would now appear to be competing with Liverpool's Jamie Carragher for a place although his United team-mate Wes Brown could also take one of the defensive berths.
However, Leeds Danny Mills would seem to be first in line to take over from Gary Neville at right back.