JOFRA ARCHERS injury misery has continued after he was ruled out of the Twenty20 series against South Africa next month.
It means the fast bowler has still not played a match this year because of a chronic injury to his right elbow.
Archer has already flown back to the UK in the hope of being fit for Englands two-Test tour of Sri Lanka starting in March.
The injury is a growing concern to England because, when fit, Archers pace and still is a prime asset.
He was due to miss the three 50-over games against the Proteas but return in a full-strength England squad for the three T20 matches.
England are prioritising the shortest format because the T20 World Cup takes place in Australia later this year.
Archer missed the final three Tests against South Africa in the recently-completed series – the three games that England won.
He was due to play in the final match at the Wanderers in Johannesburg after impressing with his speed in the practice sessions leading into the game.
But the problem flared up again during warm-ups and he was in tears after being told he could not play.
Archer was a star of last summers World Cup triumph and bowled the dramatic super over in the final against New Zealand. But it was in that tournament that he first felt the elbow.
He followed with two six-wicket hauls against Australia in the Ashes series.
But he managed just two wickets for 209 runs in two Tests against New Zealand late last year.
Archer returned an expensive five-for in the First Test defeat against South Africa but has not played since.
An England spokesman said: Jofra has returned to the UK to focus on getting fit after sustaining more soreness to his right elbow.
Archer will be replaced in the T20 squad by Lancashire seamer Saqib Mahmood, who will stay on after the three ODIs.
