England injury news: ECB confirms knee injury to Chris Woakes, likely to miss New Zealand Test series

England seam bowler Chris Woakes has been sidelined with a knee injury and he is likely to miss the Test series against New Zealand next month.

The 26-year-old was not included in the Three Lions' ongoing Test series against the West Indies as he even missed England's last World Cup match against Afghanistan with a metatarsal stress reaction.

Woakes is set to be on the sidelines for another four to six weeks after he went under the knife on Wednesday.

A statement on ECB's official website read, "The ECB medical team confirms that England and Warwickshire bowler Chris Woakes underwent uncomplicated keyhole surgery on his left knee for a meniscal tear earlier today,"

"The injury occurred while undergoing rehab for his foot injury. His rehab is likely to take a further four to six weeks."

The first Test against the Black Caps will start on 21 May at Lord's, followed by the second Test at Headingley. Woakes is likely to be available for the five-match One Day International (ODI) series against New Zealand, which starts on 9 June.

Woakes' latest injury could see the selectors look upon Steven Finn, who was dropped for England's trip to the of West Indies. The fast bowler has expressed his disappointment after he was not included in the Three Lions' squad for the tour.

"This is the first Test tour I've missed since I broke into the England set-up in 2010, so it hurts to be on the outside. But it's up to me to make sure I perform well enough to become one of those picked automatically in future," Finn explained.

"Coming back from the World Cup, spending a few weeks with Middlesex and getting my head straight about what I want to do this season is not the worst thing that could have happened to me."

"I'm gutted not to be in the West Indies , trying to help England win Test matches, but all is not lost," he said.