Sheridan: Set to fly home

Yet another shoulder injury has forced him out of England's World Cup campaign.

Sheridan, who has had three shoulder operations in the last two years, suffered his latest setback in England's 13-9 victory over Argentina.

And he will return to England facing an uncertain future.

Sheridan suffered a severe dislocation to the same left shoulder in 2009 and another operation could be a bridge too far for the 31-year-old.

But the Sale prop, who was such a key figure in England's World Cup plans, will not rush into any decisions.

"Of course there are concerns for the future," said Sheridan.

"If I do need another operation then that will be four in two years on my shoulders.

"But I'll just have to wait and see what the surgeon says, then make a decision from there.

"I'm not going to make any rash decisions because I've had another setback. But you just have to weigh up all the evidence, then see if you can rehab it all properly and get back.

"I think everyone knows shoulders are quite complicated structures, so it's difficult to come back.

"It's massively disappointing but I have to go back, speak to the surgeon, speak to the club and make a decision about what to do next.

"We'll just have to see what needs to be done with it, whether that's another operation or just a period of recovery with a bit of physio."

Sheridan battled back from surgery on his right arm and shoulder in order to make the World Cup. He had played just one game since March but was still selected by manager Martin Johnson.

That was an indication of how important Sheridan was to the team and he made an impressive return to action in England's warm-up win against Ireland.

Sheridan then started against the Pumas but he knew something was not right by half-time.

Two days later, Sheridan was still struggling and he was driven from Queenstown to Dunedin for a scan, with the images sent back to the UK for analysis by his surgeon.

"I've only played two games and now I've had another setback. I'm extremely disappointed," said Sheridan.

"I knew that something went wrong during the game. It was sore at half-time. I played on for 20-odd minutes.

"Now I'm going home. I didn't know how bad it was going to be.

"I knew it was sore, but it was only really a couple of days after that it was stiffening up and giving me a lot of trouble.

"I had the scan on Monday. Once they knew there was a tear there, it was obvious I would have to go home. It's a significant injury."

England's management are waiting for tournament organisers to officially ratify Sheridan's departure before settling on the identity of a replacement.

Wasps' Tim Payne and Northampton's Paul Doran-Jones are the leading loosehead options. Both were in England's 45-man training squad but failed to make the World Cup cut.

England do not have to replace like-for-like.

Sale flanker Hendre Fourie has been tipped as the answer to England's problems at the breakdown against Argentina but he is still struggling from a hamstring problem.

England selected five props in their 30-man squad and have the resources to cover for Sheridan's absence against Georgia this weekend.

Alex Corbisiero is the only other specialist loosehead in the squad and is likely to make his World Cup debut on Sunday, but Matt Stevens and David Wilson are capable of playing both sides.

"Sheri worked really hard over the summer to come back from injury and has put in two very good performances. It is very disappointing," Corbisiero said.

"I just wish him all the best. He's a world-class player. He's a big hero of mine. I think the squad will miss him, but we've just got to get on with it now and go forward as a team in the tournament.

"When my opportunity comes I'll be ready to take it and make the most of it.

"Responsibility will fall on all of us, as a front row, as a pack. There's four of us (props) left here and it's going to be a big job for all of us.

"Losing someone with the experience of Sheridan is tough, but it will make us stronger and pull together. We have four good players there."

It was not a good 24 hours for England.

Sheridan's exit came the morning after England manager Martin Johnson heard Courtney Lawes had received a two-week ban for striking Mario Ledesma with his knee.

"It's really sad for Sheri. He has been unlucky with injuries and we wish him all the best for his recovery," Johnson said.

"We brought five props so we have options there and we can bring another player out, but we will decide what to do about that in due course."