The England fast bowler Mark Wood has been withdrawn from the upcoming limited-overs series with Pakistan and will return home to see a specialist about the ongoing issues with his left ankle.

The 25-year-old, who made his England debut at the start of the summer, suffers from chronic pain in the joint through the repetitive impact of landing at the crease and was rested for the third Test in Sharjah.

England had originally planned to manage Wood’s condition until such a time that the fixture schedule allowed a long enough gap for surgery and the expected six-month recovery period to take place.

But despite Wood undergoing a second cortisone injection in the problem area in the space of four months last week, the England medical staff have now decided a further diagnosis by a specialist is required.

The Yorkshire fast bowler Liam Plunkett, who was unused in the Test series and was due to fly home, comes into the squad in Wood’s place, with the first of four one-day internationals next Wednesday before a three-match Twenty20 series.

The news leaves three of England’s Ashes-winning seam attack in doubt for December’s trip to South Africa, the first Test of which starts on Boxing Day in Durban.

Steven Finn is currently recovering from a bone stress reaction suffered to his left foot at the start of the current tour of the United Arab Emirates, while Ben Stokes is awaiting a further diagnosis on the collar bone injury suffered on the first day of the third Test.