The Yorkshire paceman has played only in one-day internationals this summer, and has taken no part in Tests since the Oval in August 2001.

The last cricket of any sort he played was in late July - in a match between Yorkshire and Lancashire.

Gough's outing in that match was essentially designed as a fitness test ahead of the first Test against India, but he broke down and was unable to complete the match.

That ruled him out of the Lord's Test, during which he announced he would also play no part in the second Test at Trent Bridge.

Gough has now been sent for his third operation since suffering the knee injury in New Zealand at the start of the year.

Swelling

The Yorkshire fast bowler saw a specialist in Sheffield recently after a two-week rest period and was still experiencing swelling and discomfort.

It was then that the England management ordered further keyhole surgery.

The injury also rules Gough out of the ICC Champions Trophy tournament in Sri Lanka in September, leaving the selectors needing to name a replacement for him by 15 August.

"This is a setback for me and it's going to be very disappointing to miss so much cricket," admitted Gough.

"But I know that I can come back from this and at least I now have 11 weeks to concentrate on getting myself ready to have one last crack at the Australians in the Ashes this winter."