England tour over for injured Shenton

(GETTY IMAGES)

Michael Shenton has had his worst fears confirmed by being ruled out of the rest of England's Four Nations campaign.

The Castleford centre, destined for St Helens, limped away from the defeat by New Zealand last Saturday on crutches. Now a scan has revealed he will be unable to play again in the tournament.

"It's the end of the series for me and to say I'm disappointed is an understatement," Shenton said.

"The only up side is that my injury gives somebody else the opportunity to play against Australia. I'm going to stay on and do whatever I can to help the boys over the weekend, before I fly home early next week."

Under the rules of the competition, England cannot call up a replacement. The England coach, Steve McNamara, is weighing his options but the loss of Shenton is the latest blow to his side's chances, following the absence of Kyle Eastmond, Danny McGuire and Jamie Peacock and an early injury to Adrian Morley.