Kevin Pietersen has been ruled out of the three one-day internationals against the West Indies because of an Achilles tendon injury.
England officials said today that the injury wasn't bad enough to stop him playing in Thursday's game at Headingley and the games at Bristol and Edgbaston.
But it was necessary for him to have treatment as early as possible to make sure that England's top batsman is fit for next month's World Twenty20 and the Ashes series against Australia starting in July.
Pietersen confirmed: "The medical advice is to rest the Achilles.
"Although I'm frustrated to be leaving a happy and successful dressing room, I'm absolutely confident this will help me overcome what has up until now been a minor ongoing injury.
"I hate missing out on playing for England but understand that in this instance it's necessary in order to overcome the injury.
"Even though I won't be lining up for England during this series I'll be watching and supporting the team closely as they set about repeating the recent one-day series win in the Caribbean.
"I'm looking forward to being back in the England line-up for the World Twenty20 and the rest of an exciting summer of cricket."
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