England fullback Mike Brown has been ruled out of the rest of the South Africa tour with a thumb injury © Getty Images

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Fullback Mike Brown has been ruled out of the rest of England's tour of South Africa with Bath's Nick Abendanon drafted in as a replacement.

Brown suffered a fracture and ligament damage to his right thumb during Saturday's 22-17 defeat to the Springboks in their 1st Test clash in Durban and will return to England later this week for further medical consultation.

"I'm broken! Heading bk sometime this week for an op," Brown wrote on Twitter. "So gutted to be heading home but thankful I had the opportunity to play a Test! Will be cheering the guys on from home! Will get the operation done and prepare hard ready for the start of the new season."

Abendanon, currently in Johannesburg after the wedding of former Bath team-mate Pieter Dixon, will link up with the squad tomorrow ahead of England's mid-week outing against the South African Barbarians in Kimberley on Wednesday.

"Firstly, our best wishes to Mike," said England coach Stuart Lancaster. "He did really well on Saturday and is very disappointed to be out of the tour but he must remember he has had a fantastic season and should be rightly proud of all that he has achieved.

"Nick is next in line from the Saxons and the fact that he is already here and can slot straight into training is a bonus."

England will also be without Brad Barritt for their next outing and the second Test in Johannesburg at the weekend after he suffered a lacerated eyeball in last Saturday's defeat. The Saracens centre underwent surgery on the injury yesterday but it is hoped he will be fit for the third Test clash in Port Elizabeth on June 23.

The England team to play the Barbarians in will be announced via at 3.30pm (BST).

So gutted to be heading home but thankful I had the opportunity to play a test! Will be cheering the guys on from home! #broken

— Mike Brown (@mikebrown_15) June 10, 2012