Jack Leach has been ruled out for the Second Test against India, leaving uncapped spinner Shoaib Bashir in contention to make his Test debut.
Leach hurt his left knee while fielding during England's dramatic win in the First Test at Hyderabad last week and aggravated the injury later in the match.
The 32-year-old bowled only sparingly during India's fourth innings chase and this morning played no part in England's first training session in Vizag, where the Second Test starts on Friday.
"He's ruled out of the second Test, unfortunately the knock he took resulted in a haematoma," said captain Ben Stokes, who hailed Leach as a "warrior" last week for struggling though the series-opener.
"It's a big shame for us and a big shame for him. It's something we're assessing every day but the medical team have taken over on that so hopefully it's not something too serious that keeps him out for longer."
England fielded three spinners, as well as Joe Root, in Hyderabad and with Leach out, Somerset teammate Bashir is the only specialist candidate to take his place. The 20-year-old was delayed arriving in India at the start of the tour because of a visa issue relating to his Pakistani heritage.
Bashir has played only six first-class matches but inexperienced spinners have excelled under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum.
"[Bashir]'s got a lot about him," Crawley said. "He knows what he is trying to do and backs himself. I feel if he got his chance he would go well."
