England faces a major setback after Chris Woakes sustained a shoulder injury during the opening day of the decisive fifth Test against India at The Oval, and is expected to miss the remainder of the Oval Test.
The 36-year-old seamer tumbled awkwardly while attempting to prevent a boundary late in the day, immediately grabbing his shoulder in visible pain.
Medical staff escorted Woakes from the field with his arm secured in an improvised sling fashioned from his shirt, raising concerns about a possible dislocation.
The veteran bowler, who has featured in all five matches of this demanding series, was taken to the dressing room for assessment.
The veteran bowler suffered the injury towards the end of the opening day
|Getty
England arranged an immediate scan to assess the damage, with results anticipated on Friday morning.
Gus Atkinson emerged as England's standout performer, claiming two wickets for 31 runs from 19 overs while also executing a crucial run out of Shubman Gill.
Atkinson expressed doubt about Woakes' continued participation, stating: "It doesn't look great. I will be surprised if he takes any part in the game."
JUST IN: Concerns grow over EFL club failing to make start of season as players refuse to play in pay dispute
Gus Atkinson said the injury 'doesn't look great'
|Getty
The Surrey seamer, making his comeback from a hamstring issue dating back to May, acknowledged the challenging conditions.
"It was disappointing to miss the first four games of the series, I've never really had a muscle injury like that before, but to come back for this important game at my home ground is nice," Atkinson said.
In contrast, Jamie Overton endured a difficult return to Test cricket after a three-year absence, conceding 66 runs from 16 overs without taking a wicket.
READ MORE: Newcastle set to miss out on ANOTHER target as Manchester United swoop in to bolster attacking line
Josh Tongue's performance epitomised England's inconsistent bowling display, delivering 12 runs in wides during his opening spell before producing two exceptional deliveries to dismiss Sai Sudharsan and Ravindra Jadeja.
"Tongue looked like the bowler I would least like to face," former England captain Michael Vaughan told BBC Test Match Special. "You'd have no chance of lining him up - he was wide down the leg side, wide down the off side, half-volley, bouncer and then all of a sudden right in the perfect zone."
India closed on 204 for six from 64 overs, with Karun Nair unbeaten on 52 alongside Washington Sundar on 19.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
India closed on 204 for six from 64 overs on a mixed day for England
|Getty
The potential absence of Woakes would leave England severely depleted, having already entered the match without captain Ben Stokes due to a shoulder problem, plus Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse who were rested.
Should Woakes be sidelined, Atkinson would become the most experienced bowler despite only his thirteenth Test appearance.
"I feel fresh, I feel good and I know I've only got this one game to play so I can push the limits a bit," he said.
England lead the series 2-1 and seek their first five-match Test series victory since defeating India 4-1 in 2018.