Amor was also ruled out of December's South Africa Sevens

Gloucester scrum-half Amor has not recovered from a shoulder problem and has returned to the UK for treatment, with Newcastle's Phil Dowson called up.

England Sevens coach Mike Friday said: "We've sent Simon home. Hopefully he will be 100% come the World Cup."

"It's Pete's first time as captain but he's not fazed by the responsibility."

England lost to Fiji in the quarter-finals of the Wellington Sevens last weekend and then slipped up against Scotland in the plate semi-final.

And Friday admits he is looking for a better performance in Los Angeles - the last Sevens competition before the World Cup Sevens in March.

"We under-performed last week and I am hoping that will spur them on to play better," he said.

"There are certainly some places up for grabs in England's World Cup squad and there are some new guys who willl be looking to stake their claim."

"These players have to try to do themselves and England justice by playing to the best of their ability."

England face Tonga and the West Indies in Saturday's pool stages at 2012 and 2318 respectively.

They are then scheduled to meet Fiji at 0226 on Sunday.