Michael Dawson has been ruled out of England's Euro 2012 qualifier in Switzerland with a knee injury.
The Tottenham Hotspur defender suffered the blow in Friday’s 4-0 win over Bulgaria at Wembley and, after an initial examination on Saturday morning, he has been sent back to his club, who later confirmed that the player would miss six to eight weeks.
The FA have also confirmed that the squad will not be added to so Gary Cahill, the Bolton Wanderers defender who made his debut as Dawson’s replacement against Bulgaria, should partner Phil Jagielka from the start on Tuesday.
"Following a scan on his knee this morning, Michael Dawson will miss England's Euro 2012 qualifier with Switzerland on Tuesday,” read a statement on the FA website.
"England and Tottenham Hotspur medical staff were in contact this morning and Dawson has now returned to his club for further treatment.
"There will be no further call-ups."
A later statement from Spurs confirmed the length of the player's absence. It read: "A statement on Spurs' official website read: "Scans today have revealed that Michael Dawson has sprained his left medial knee ligament and one of his left ankle ligaments.
"The defender... is expected to be out of action for six to eight weeks."
Matthew Upson and Joleon Lescot tcould yet rival Cahill for a place in the England defence, with first choices Rio Ferdinand and John Terry still missing.
Dawson’s injury is also a worry for Spurs, who could do without yet more defensive woe after Jonathan Woodgate was left out of their 25-man Premier League squad and they continue to be troubled by Ledley King’s fitness concerns.
Dawson’s Spurs team-mate Jermain Defoe scored a hat-trick and Manchester City’s Adam Johnson also opened his account in the comfortable win over Bulgaria.