Radlinski's injury was known to the Great Britain management

The Wigan star is to see a specialist and may need an operation to cure the problem ahead of next season.

His place in the squad will be taken by Bradford utility back Karl Pratt, who was a surprise call-up.

Radlinski missed Saturday's opening Test against Australia with the problem, which was known about prior to the squad being announced.

Coach Brian Noble admitted: "I'm a little bit disappointed.

"I had spoken to Kris at length about it but he had a bit of a relapse on Wednesday of last week."

I've just got to do the best I can now Karl Pratt

Great Britain captain and Radlinski's team-mate Andy Farrell said: "He's a big loss to any team.

"But the way Paul Wellens played at the weekend it would have been pretty hard for Brian to pick the right team anyway."

Pratt, celebrating his call-up, said: "It has come as a bit of a surprise but I've just got to do the best I can now."

Meanwhile, it has emerged that Great Britain second row Jamie Peacock was on a drip only hours before playing in the Test against Australia.

The GB camp was plagued by sickness in the build-up to their opening match, with Paul Johnson and Sean O'Loughlin ruled out.

Peacock was close to withdrawing on the Thursday before the match, having been ill for two days and lost nine pounds in weight.

"Getting the drip off the doctor helped no end," he revealed.

"He came around to my house and put me on a drip there. I hadn't eaten so I needed to get some fluids and some carbohydrates back into me and I was pleased he did.

"I thought to myself `just dig in for 80 minutes and you can be as sick as you want afterwards'.

"So I just got on with it. I was really drained afterwards but I'm feeling better now."