England were hoping Gough would have played in a match at Brisbane University next weekend.

He was then set to play against Australia A at Hobart on 17 November and all being well would have featured in the second Ashes Test in Adelaide.

Gough said: "It's very disappointing as I felt I was nearly there with my recovery and ready to start playing again.

"What I want to do is work hard at the Academy and give myself the best possible chance of getting myself fit again for the remainder of the winter."

England coach Duncan Fletcher said they did not know when Gough would be fit.

Fletcher said: "It's very frustrating for him and the team that he should suffer a setback at this stage.

"He's done everything we've asked in terms of conditioning and strengthening work and we were hoping he could play grade cricket this weekend.

"Our priority now is to ensure he gets intensive one-to-one treatment for his injury and expert medical advice.

"At this stage we can't put a time frame on Darren's recovery.

"We'll have to wait for further guidance from the specialist as to the extent of his involvement in the rest of the winter programme."

It is thought that Gough would have to be fit to play in Hobart to retain a realistic chance of playing in any Tests at all.

England drew their final warm-up match at Queensland's Allan Border Fields on Monday, Michael Vaughan hitting a century on the final day.