David Strettle's hopes of playing in next month's Rugby World Cup are likely to be formally ended today. The England wing faces a lengthy period on the sidelines after breaking the fifth metatarsal in his left foot during training and head coach Brian Ashton would appear to have little option but to revise his backline plans.

Unless last night's consultation with a London specialist offers encouragement, Strettle would potentially be unavailable for England's four pool games and, at best, would be horribly short of match practice if he featured in the knock-out stages.

David Beckham and Wayne Rooney were out for seven weeks when suffering similar injuries before the 2002 and 2006 football World Cups respectively.

"It does not sound like very good news," said Ashton yesterday. "He will decide today whether to draft in a replacement from outside the squad."

The odds on Bath's Nick Abendanon making the final squad of 30 must be shortening, assuming he shows up well against France at Twickenham this weekend.

There is no question, either way, that Strettle's elusive footwork will be missed. The 24-year-old Harlequin was in space and running freely when the injury occurred and even his potential squad rivals share his disappointment.

Wasps winger Paul Sackey described it as "a massive blow" and Josh Lewsey, another contender for a back-three role, was also deeply sympathetic: "I feel terrible for David. He's had a fantastic season and hopefully he might have two or three more World Cups left in him."

Strettle also missed both South Africa Tests this summer after being struck down by a stomach virus that caused him to lose five kilograms in three days.

Ashton cannot afford many more injuries at such a crucial juncture. Mark Cueto, the squad's latest first-choice fullback, is currently nursing a groin strain, the scrumhalf Peter Richards has a bad back and the flanker Tom Rees has a sore hamstring.

World Cup-winning centre Mike Tindall's prospects of making the tournament will also be the subject of a meeting between medical staff and the team management this afternoon.

Guardian Service

The cost of closing the Border Reivers could amount to €2.58 million, the Scottish Rugby Union's annual report has revealed. The club were closed down at the end of last season - to the dismay of Scottish fans - when the SRU decided they had little prospect of becoming self-sufficient.

Connacht Rugby have announced that anyone who purchases a season ticket by next Monday, August 13th, will still be eligible to attend the pre-season clash with South Africa on Tuesday August 21st.

The game has been sold out for weeks but a limited number of tickets have been held back for season-ticket holders.