The Albany Gazette - England fast bowler Wood out four months after latest injury blow

But Thursday's announcement left open the possibility of the 35-year-old featuring on a 2025/26 tour of Australia where England will look to regain the Ashes.

Wood suffered the latest in a long line of injuries while bowling against Afghanistan during England's woeful Champions Trophy campaign in Pakistan last month where they lost all three of their group games.

He left the field in Lahore after bowling four overs but came back to bowl another spell despite his evident discomfort.

Wood underwent surgery on Wednesday after scans confirmed medial ligament damage in his left knee, with the operation ruling him out until July at the earliest.

That would mean Wood would likely miss both May's one-off Test against Zimbabwe and the whole of a five-Test series with India starting at Headingley on June 20 and concluding at the Oval in a match commencing on July 31.

"I'm gutted to be out for so long after representing England across all formats since the start of last year," said Wood in an England and Wales Cricket Board statement released Thursday.

"But I've got every confidence that I'll be back firing on all cylinders now that I've been able to sort my knee out.

"I want to thank the surgeon, the doctors, staff, my England teammates and coaches for their support -- and, of course, our fans. I can't wait to get back and contribute to what is going to be a huge 2025 for us as a team."

(R.White--TAG)