England’s World Cup campaign took another massive hit after a shoulder injury ruled heavyweight prop Andrew Sheridan out of the tournament.

The injury-prone 31-year-old will return home from New Zealand this week after picking up the knock in the 13-9 win over Argentina last Saturday.

Manager Martin Johnson, who could call up Tim Payne of Wasps or Northampton’s Paul Doran-Jones, said: ‘It’s really sad for Sheri, he’s been unlucky. We brought five props so we have options and we can decide to bring a replacement out in due course.’

Distraught: Sheridan's career has been injury-laden

The news adds to Johnson’s problems after lock Courtney Lawes was given a two-match ban. He was found guilty of foul play against Argentina hooker Mario Ledesma.

Sheridan lasted an hour in Saturday’s win before he was replaced by Matt Stevens, but there seemed to be no indication of a serious injury.

The alarm was raised in the England camp when they travelled to the resort town of Queenstown for a short break before playing Georgia next Sunday in Dunedin.

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