England [Images] suffered a blow on the eve of the fifth and final Ashes Test against Australia when fast bowler Simon Jones was ruled out by injury on Tuesday.

Jones hurt his right ankle on the third day of the fourth Test at Trent Bridge and failed to recover for The Oval finale, despite undergoing intensive treatment, the England Cricket Board (ECB) said.

"Jones had a fitness test at Lord's this morning but was still experiencing pain from the ankle injury and was immediately withdrawn from the squad," the ECB said in a statement.

Jones, a leading exponent of reverse swing, took five wickets in Australia's first innings at Trent Bridge but missed most of the second after undergoing scans in hospital.

He is likely to be replaced by either fellow fast bowler James Anderson or all rounder Paul Collingwood [Images], who were drafted into a 13-man England squad on Sunday.

Collingwood, who has played two Tests, was included in he squad for the second match at Edgbaston for 48 hours while conditions were assessed, before being released back to Durham.

England lead the series 2-1 and need to avoid defeat at The Oval to win the Ashes.

The Oval Test starts on Thursday.