Maharoof was a certainty for the Test squad against England

Maharoof injured his foot in Hobart and captain Mahela Jawardene said he had been diagnosed with a stress fracture.

"He'll be out for at least four to five weeks," said Jayawardene.

"It could be a bit more than that depending on how he will feel because he is a fast bowler and he needs to put his weight on that ankle."

England's three-Test series in Sri Lanka begins on 1 December.

606: DEBATE Sri Lanka still have plenty of pace bowling options available and, of course, Muttiah Muralitharan BBC Sport's Paul Grunill

Maharoof suffered the injured on the opening day of the second Test on Friday but continued to bowl after having his foot strapped.

However, he did not take any part in the match on Saturday, leaving the tourists a bowler short.

Paceman Lasith Malinga was asked to send down 35 overs in Australia's innings.

Maharoof, 23, began the Hobart Test with 24 wickets in 19 Tests and three half-centuries.

Significantly, he took 10-95 in the first three one-day internationals against England in October before a back stain ruled him out of the last two.