England have been forced to look for a Lincoln World Cup replacement after Bradford Bulls three-quarter Nathan McAvoy was ruled out of the tournament with a serious knee injury that requires immediate surgery.

The 23-year-old winger-cum-centre flew back to Manchester yesterday from the squad's London base after scans revealed that he suffered cruciate ligament damage during England's 110-0 win over the United States in Orlando on Saturday night.

"Nathan has been carrying the injury all season," explained England manager David Howes. "Bradford were aware of it. It gave way while he was running and it could have happened at any time.

"He will fly back to Manchester today to get ready to go into hospital and will be out for a good few months."

Coach John Kear will now almost certainly call up a replacement from the standby squad, with Leeds winger Karl Pratt and the Castleford duo of Darren Rogers and Danny Orr among the list of possible substitutes.

McAvoy is the third player to withdraw through injury since Kear named his 24strong squad five weeks ago. Simon Haughton and Francis Cummins were replaced by Andy Hay and Paul Wellens.

With loose forward Paul Sculthorpe also carrying an injury, Kear delayed selection of his team to face Australia in Saturday's opening Group One match at Twickenham.

New Zealand prop Tony Puletua will miss his side's opening match of the tournament against Lebanon on Sunday after a mouth abscess failed to heal in time for the squad's flight to London.

The 21-year-old Penrith Panthers forward is now due to join up with the rest of the Kiwi party at their Gloucester base later this week.