BBC SPORT | Cricket | The Ashes | Problems mount for England

Harmison was struck on the head

Michael Vaughan could miss England's next two warm-up matches after suffering a setback on his comeback from injury.

And ongoning concerns over England's bowlers mean Alex Tudor may earn a late call-up ahead of the Ashes series against Australia.

A decision on a short-term replacement for Flintoff will be made in the next 24 hours.

England coach Duncan Fletcher said: "Tudor is at the Academy in Adelaide and other players are around in Australia.

"If the injuries don't work out, we may have to make a decision to bring them in."

We remain confident that he will be able to take part in the Ashes series

Duncan Fletcher on Andrew Flintoff

Fletcher has said players must be fit for the final warm-up game in Brisbane on 2 November to be considered for the first Test.

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Vaughan underwent knee surgery at the end of the domestic season in a bid to be fit for the start of the tour of Australia.

But on Wednesday he was ruled out of England's two-day match against Western Australia to further exacerbate Fletcher's injury crisis.

Fletcher, though, remained confident that Vaughan would return for the final warm-up match against Queensland on 2 November.

He said: "He just went off the boil two days ago.

"He's going to have two days off and then they're very confident he'll be ready for the three-day game in Brisbane."

Meanwhile, England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has moved to the Academy in a bid to speed up his rehabilitation from hernia surgery.

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"We remain confident he will be able to take part in the Ashes series," insisted Fletcher.

After England crashed to a 58-run defeat in their tour opener on Tuesday, captain Nasser Hussain voiced concern about the lengthy injury list.

"People have to get out there and play, that is why they are on this tour," he said.

"The only exception is Darren Gough because he's had a long-term injury."

Gough is not expected to play for at least two more weeks as he recovers from knee surgery.

Chairman of selectors David Graveney told BBC Radio Five Live England were in a catch-22 situation.

He said: "We either took our best team which included those recovering from injury or we took a second XI.

"We didn't feel a second XI would be the best course of action against Australia.

"It is a risk but one we are prepared to take."

And fitness worries remain over batsman Mark Butcher (knee) and strike bowler Simon Jones (side).