CHRIS WOAKES will be out for at least the next three weeks after having an injection on a “chronic knee problem.”

England have unsurprisingly ruled Woakes and fellow all-rounder Ben Stokes out of the remainder of the one-day international series against Australia.

After the respective thigh and hamstring tears they suffered against Pakistan at the start of this month, England initially announced they would miss “the first part” of the ongoing five-match series against Australia.

The England and Wales Cricket Board released an update today, before the third fixture at Trent Bridge where England will aim to take an unassailable 3-0 series lead, stating that Stokes’s recovery is “progressing well.”

He is therefore expected to continue his rehabilitation with the squad during the fourth and fifth ODIs, with a view to being available again in time for the three-match Twenty20 international series against India early next month.

Woakes’s prognosis appears significantly less optimistic, however.

“No return date can be specified at this stage,” read the ECB update, which added that he will definitely not be available before the one-day series against India, which starts on July 12.

The ECB statement read: “Chris Woakes’s right quad tear, which he sustained at Headingley in the second Test against Pakistan earlier this month, was at least in part due to a flare-up of a chronic right knee problem.

“He has had an injection for the knee issue last Monday and will now undertake a rehabilitation and conditioning programme to address both injuries.

“A date for return cannot be specified at this stage, but he will not be available before the India Royal London ODI series.”

On Stokes, the ECB added his “torn left hamstring is progressing well, at just over two weeks since he sustained the injury in the build-up to the second Test against Pakistan at Emerald Headingley.

“He can bat fully and is now able to run at 90 per cent capacity.

“He will commence his return-to-bowling programme this week.

“The plan is for Ben to continue his rehabilitation programme with the England squad during the fourth and fifth ODIs at Riverside and Old Trafford.

“He is expected to be involved in preparation, with a view to being available to play in the IT20s against India starting next month.”