Emile Heskey has been ruled out of England's Euro 2004 qualifier against Macedonia this evening after picking up a groin injury.
"Emile's going to go home. He's been seen by the physiotherapist today and Sven (Goran Eriksson) thinks it would be silly to risk him," a Football Association spokesman said.
The Liverpool striker's absence means that Alan Smith will almost certainly partner Michael Owen up front for the Group Seven clash at St Mary's stadium in Southampton.