Care's loss will be a huge blow for England © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

News: England set to opt for strength

Features: Selection turns up the heat on England

News: England confirm World Cup squad

News: England set to announce World Cup squad

News: Flutey set for World Cup axe

Players/Officials: Danny Care

Tournaments/Tours: Rugby World Cup

Teams: England

England scrum-half Danny Care has been ruled out of the World Cup with a broken toe.

Care will undergo surgery this week after damaging a joint in his left big toe in last weekend's 19-9 defeat to Wales. England medics anticipate Care will be sidelined for six weeks, ruling him out of the initial 30-man World Cup squad to be announced by manager Martin Johnson on August 22.

The half-back looked set to be a key part of England's campaign having started their first warm-up Test against Wales. And with question marks continuing to surround the fitness of Ben Youngs - who underwent a knee operation at the end of last season - Johnson would have hoped to call upon the Harlequins scrum-half for cover.

Care spoke of his broken toe on Twitter saying: "Absolutely devastated about my injury, but in the best hands for my op tomorrow. Wish the lads all the best to hopefully win the World Cup!!"

Speaking on the news Johnson said: "We are all hugely disappointed for Danny who has worked extremely hard and has been an important part of the squad throughout our Rugby World Cup preparations.

"He featured in both warm-up fixtures and was on course for selection so this injury is really disappointing for him personally and for us as a squad. Nobody wants to see a player ruled out at this stage through injury and we all wish Danny a speedy recovery.

"In terms of our selection options we are fortunate to have depth at nine with Ben Youngs, now back into full training, Joe Simpson and Richard Wigglesworth. These guys have all been part of the Rugby World Cup camp and will be considered ahead of the final 30 man squad announced on Monday."

Wigglesworth started for England on Saturday in their loss to Wales while Simpson was in the original 40-man training squad. Simpson has since returned to Wasps for pre-season training but he is now back in the reckoning for a place on the plane to New Zealand.