Sri Lanka suffers Pradeep blow
Sri Lanka received a setback just two days before the start of the first Test against England when it was announced seamer Nuwan Pradeep had suffered an injury that could rule him out of the entire three-match series.
The uncapped 24-year-old took four for 29 in the second innings of the tourists' win over the second-string England Lions and was in line to make his Test debut against England in the series opener that starts on Thursday.
But his efforts against the Lions in Derby came at a cost, with Sri Lanka interim coach Stuart Law telling reporters here on Tuesday that Pradeep had suffered ligament damage.
"Pradeep has some damage to his anterior cruciate ligament," Law said.
"He is seeing a specialist at the moment, it's bad news for the young man.
"If things are OK and he doesn't need an operation we may opt to keep him here but at this stage it looks like he's flying home," the Australian added.
"He's one of the cards up our sleeve and he has a bit more pace than the rest of them so it's a shame if he has to go home but he was dragging his leg around yesterday (Tuesday)."
Sri Lanka could be without both their first-choice seamers for the first Test if the experienced Dilhara Fernando is also ruled out.
Fernando has a knee injury and, earlier on Tuesday, Sri Lanka called up all-rounder Farveez Maharoof as cover from English county side Lancashire.
"Dilhara's got a nagging knee injury, and the team has taken precautionary measures (by calling up Maharoof)," Sri Lanka Cricket media manager Brian Thomas said.
Sri Lanka's attack had already been depleted even before they arrived in England by the retirements of fast bowler Lasith Malinga and legendary spinner Muttiah Muralitharan.
Fernando, 31, is the man Sri Lanka want to lead their attack and on Sunday he showed his form by taking three wickets in six balls against the Lions.
Maharoof, 26, who has himself been hit by a series of injuries, was a member of Sri Lanka's Test team that played against Australia in Hobart in 2007.