Blurred vision leaves Tudor gloomy

Alex Tudor has become England's latest injury worry after saying he might not make the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. The fast bowler said he was suffering from impaired vision more than two weeks after being struck on the head by a Brett Lee bouncer in Brisbane.

Tudor, who is still unable to bat in the nets, will see an eye specialist here tomorrow. "The bruising has gone down but my eye is still quite bloodshot," he said.

"The vision in my left eye is still not that great and the doctor has advised me not to rush it. There is a chance I might not be ready for the next Test. I am hoping the eye will improve but things are still quite blurry. I was hit pretty hard, but I can do everything else apart from bat at the moment."

The injury has not prevented Tudor from bowling in Perth, where he took three wickets in a practice match between the England Academy players and a local club side yesterday, but unless he can bat freely he will not be risked when the Ashes series resumes at the MCG.

Lee struck Tudor above the left eye during the closing moments of the third Test on December 1 and he spent the night in hospital after having eight stitches inserted in the wound. If he does not play in Melbourne he will become the second replacement bowler to be injured, Chris Silverwood having been sent home with ankle ligament damage after the Perth Test.

Tudor's absence would give James Anderson the opportunity to extend his involvement in the tour.

The fears over Shane Warne's future were eased yesterday after an exploratory operation on his dislocated shoulder indicated that the leg-spinner may be fit in time for Australia's World Cup campaign next year.

Warne was taken to hospital on Sunday after injuring his bowling shoulder, which was reconstructed four years ago. But he has been told he may be fit in four to six weeks' time after an arthroscope revealed no serious damage to the joint. He will miss the final two Ashes Tests but is expected to recover in time for the start of the World Cup on February 9.

The International Cricket Council has ruled that injured players can be replaced for the World Cup, whether they are injured before or after December 31, the deadline for each competing country to submit a squad of 15 players.

Adam Gilchrist will miss Australia's next game against Sri Lanka on Sunday. The wicketkeeper strained his groin against England on Sunday and Western Australia's Ryan Campbell is expected to deputise next weekend.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTEoKyaqpSerq96wqikaKugpL%2B1e5FpZ2tnlJqwcH2WaJqroZOgsrV6wKyfnqth