Sunderland striker Darren Bent has been ruled out of England's European Championship qualifier against Montenegro on Tuesday evening by a groin injury sustained in training.
The 26-year-old had been expected to partner Wayne Rooney in attack at Wembley Stadium, having netted his first international goal last time out in the 3-1 victory in Switzerland.
The setback for Bent comes as Black Cats boss Steve Bruce had backed his man to make an England place his own.
He told the Daily Telegraph:"Over the 15 months he's been here with me, Darren's record is there for all to see – he's up with the very best.
"Last season, only Wayne Rooney and Didier Drogba scored more goals than Darren. And this season, he's up amongst the very best once again.
"He's at Sunderland, not Manchester United or Chelsea, and with the best will in the world we create fewer chances than those top clubs.
"A lot of players when they get in front of goal get a bit nervous, but Darren goes cold, ruthless.
"He's set an unbelievable standard for himself here. He's scored 32 goals in 49 games in all competitions for us so far, including the first goal in 18 of those games – it's a staggering return.
"Let's hope he keeps on going and producing that kind of form."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email