James Anderson had just forced his way back into the Test team © Getty Images Enlarge

James Anderson has been ruled out of the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka after scans revealed he is suffering from a stress fracture of the lower back.

"It's a huge blow to Jimmy," said Mike Watkinson, Lancashire's coach. "He's worked hard and patiently at his cricket to get back into the Test and one-day environment and obviously was hoping to be involved with England right through this summer. But he is a fighter and he will get all the help possible at Old Trafford to overcome this setback."

This is a further blow for England a day after Simon Jones was forced to leave the field when he felt a twinge in his knee. Anderson has recently forced his way back into the Test team, playing a major role in England's victory at Mumbai, which levelled the series at 1-1. He then played a significant role in the one-day matches that followed and has been rested since his return home from the tour.

Anderson has had injury problems before, involving his heel and ankle. On the 2003-04 tour of Sri Lanka he injured his ankle playing squash and was then forced to withdraw from the England squad to play New Zealand, at Headingley, in 2004 with a heel problem.