Injury nightmare for devastated Danny Care

Danny Care has admitted he is "absolutely devastated" after being ruled out of World Cup contention just five days before England coach Martin Johnson names his squad.

The Harlequins scrum-half was rated as a certainty to feature among Johnson's 30-man party that will head to New Zealand on 29 August.

But 24-year-old Care will undergo surgery today to repair a damaged joint in his left big toe, suffered during last Saturday's defeat against World Cup warm-up opponents Wales at the Millennium Stadium. England's medical staff anticipate that Care, who has won 32 caps, will be sidelined for six weeks.

With Johnson confident that last season's Six Nations No 9 Ben Youngs will be fit and available after having a knee operation earlier this summer, it leaves Saracens' Richard Wigglesworth in pole position to join Youngs at the World Cup.

Johnson must then decide whether to name a third scrum-half - Wasps' Joe Simpson - or maximise the versatility of a player like full-back Ben Foden, who has previously played Premiership rugby in the number nine position.

Care said on Twitter: "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!!

"Thank you so much to everyone for your kind messages, helping me getting through this tough time. Supposedly everything happens for a reason?"

Care is the first player to be sidelined from Johnson's squad selection plans for a tournament that England kick off against Argentina in Dunedin on 10 September, in the same pool as Scotland.

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. We all wish Danny a speedy recovery."