Andy Johnson’s hopes of a quick second England cap have been dashed after injury forced him to leave the international training camp.
AJ, who had been hoping to make an appearance in Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland, was sent back to Palace on Tuesday after a scan on an ankle knock.
England manager Sven Goran Eriksson already knew Johnson was carrying a niggle, but called him up in the hope it would not prove too serious. However, the scan showed he would not be fit for Saturday, so the England boss sent him back to Selhurst for treatment.
"I knew about Andy Johnson before I picked the squad but I was told that probably by Thursday or Friday he would be able to train," Eriksson told Sky Sports.
"After the scan we did, we now decided that it's a risk and we don't want to take that risk."
AJ will miss England’s games against Northern Ireland on Saturday and Azerbaijan next Wednesday – but will have almost two weeks to recover in time for Palace’s next Premiership match at home to Middlesbrough.