Injured fast bowler Simon Jones is a serious doubt for England's fifth and final Ashes Test against Australia next week.
"I'm not confident he will play," England coach Duncan Fletcher told a news conference on Monday.
"It would be a big loss. He seems to have one over the (Australia) batsmen."
Jones hurt his right ankle on Saturday during the fourth Test at Trent Bridge which England won by three wickets.
The Glamorgan paceman is suffering from swelling which has been caused by the start of a bone spur.
He will undergo intensive treatment before the start of the deciding match at The Oval on September 8. England lead the series 2-1.
Jones, a leading exponent of reverse swing, took five wickets in Australia's first innings at Trent Bridge but missed most of the second after undergoing scans in hospital.
He also took six wickets in an innings in the third Test.
Fletcher refused to rule Jones out entirely.
"It would be nice to go through the series with 11 players playing all the games," he said.
"The crucial part (in England's success) is that somewhere along the way every one of those 11 players has put his hand up at some stage."
More from rediff