Frank Lampard has been ruled out of England's Euro 2008 Group E qualifier against Andorra tonight.
The Chelsea midfielder was expected to play despite suffering a cracked bone in his wrist in training on Monday.
However, it has now been discovered the injury is far worse than was first thought, leaving Lampard with no chance of facing the part-timers in Barcelona this evening.
The FA declined to give an update on Lampard's condition although they did confirm the player would travel home with the remainder of Steve McClaren's squad after tonight's game.
'We will know the team 75 minutes before kick-off,' said a spokesperson.
Crouch pleads for patience with Rooney
Separately, Peter Crouch believes 'blossoming' striker Wayne Rooney does not deserve the torrent of criticism that has come his way.
The big Liverpool forward scored England's last competitive goal in Macedonia six months ago, which preceded the side's run of five winless matches in which they have scored just once.
Rooney, in particular, has been castigated for his lack of form for Steve McClaren's side in the wake of Saturday's limp goalless draw in Israel, when an ugly clash with Bolton's Tal Ben Haim rounded off an under-par performance from the Manchester United man.
But Crouch, currently battling to be fit for Liverpool's weekend clash with Arsenal, believes Rooney should be given time to rediscover his goalscoring touch.
'Wayne Rooney is a fantastic talent and you don't want to curb that, you want to let him play his natural game,' he told The Times.
'Everyone can see he's blossoming at Manchester United, playing with probably the best team in the country at the moment, and he's someone we shouldn't be abusing.
'We should enjoy his talents - encourage him - and hopefully they'll come to the fore and help England through.'
Butcher joins criticism of McClaren
Meanwhile, Former England captain Terry Butcher claims watching the national team is 'like a nagging toothache' and does not believe Steve McClaren will be in charge this time next year.
Butcher, who won 77 caps for his country, does not think McClaren can survive following a mediocre start to his regime as England manager.
Asked on BBC Radio if he felt the former Middlesbrough boss would be in the job next year, he said: 'I do not think so. This is a big, big year with Euro 2008 qualification at stake.
'England will win tonight 7-0 or 8-0. But there are big games to come and I would rather play Russia now than later.'
He questioned the passion of England players, adding: 'It is like a nagging toothache watching England play. In our day the passion was there to get the match won and impose yourself on the opposition.
'These days England go out there expecting to win and expecting someone to score and do the business. Whether it is arrogance or not, or lack of belief or passion I’m not sure, but they are a team of individuals rather than one individual team. Other teams go out and play to their strengths but when England get together the whole squad do not unify.'
