India difficult tour of England today took another turn for the worse after it was revealed Harbhajan Singh and Yuvraj Singh are almost certain to miss next week's Third Test at Edgbaston.
India have already been without opener Virender Sehwag for the first two Tests while both batsman Gautam Gambhir and seam bowler Zaheer Khan missed the Second Test defeat at Trent Bridge. Sehwag was due to arrive in England today and may play against Northants, starting on Friday.
But off-spinner Harbhajan is likely to be absent for nearly two weeks with a stomach muscle injury, and Yuvraj damaged the index finger of his left hand when struck by Tim Bresnan in the second innings at Trent Bridge.
Zaheer is still struggling to prove his fitness after sustaining a hamstring injury in the First Test at Lord's. With India already 2-0 down in the four-match series, they need their premier bowler back in Birmingham.
Leg-spinner Amit Mishra would be favourite to step in for Harbhajan. There is better news for England with Jonathan Trott understood to be confident he will be ready to play at his home ground next week, even though coach Andy Flower said he was short of full fitness.
Trott is expected to be named in the squad but Ravi Bopara or James Taylor or could be called up as cover, while Chris Tremlett's back and hamstring problems will continue to be assessed.
