England have suffered a major injury blow ahead of their four-match Test series against South Africa as the former side will head into the tour without the service of two of their key fast bowlers Steven Finn and Mark Wood.
Both the bowlers have failed to recover fully for South African tour after suffering their respective injuries during the recently concluded three-match Test series against Pakistan.
Finn suffered a foot injury before the first Test in Abu Dhabi, while Wood was ruled out of the squad due to ankle injury in the final match in Sharjah, the Guardian reported.
Meanwhile, all-rounder Ben Stokes, who suffered a shoulder injury during the third Test, has recovered enough to be available for selection.
England are likely to select five fast bowler in the squad for the upcoming Tests which might include Jimmy Anderson, Stuart Broad, Liam Plunkett, Chris Jordan and Chris Woakes.
The two sides will play four-match Test series, starting from December 26 in Durban.
