England all-rounder Paul Collingwood has been ruled out of the final one-day international against Australia because of his back spasm suffered in Sydney.
Luke Wright should replace Collingwood, who is still expected to make the World Cup despite injuring himself batting in the sixth game of the series.
But pace bowler Liam Plunkett insists he is ready to play on Sunday after his 40-hour dash from the Caribbean.
The injury-hit tourists, who trail 5-1, are seeking a winning finale in Perth.
“Hopefully, I’ll play – I’ve got fresh legs. I feel strong and confident in my bowling,” said Plunkett.
Cameron White will lead Australia, who have decided to rest batsmen Michael Clarke and Shane Watson.
“Both Michael Clarke and Shane Watson have had a very heavy workload this summer and as key players going into the ICC Cricket World Cup, a decision has been made that they will not play in Perth,” said a Cricket Australia statement.
606: DEBATE
England had two goals this winter – the Ashes and World Cup. Ashes have been won, now for the World Cup. These games are in effect warm-up games
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With all-rounder Steve Smith ruled out because of a hip problem, batsman Adam Voges and spin bowler Jason Krejza have been added to the Australia squad.
Both sides have been seriously depleted by injuries since the end of the Ashes series, which England won 3-1.
Collingwood, 34, was unable to bowl as Australia successfully chased down a target of 334 in Sydney on Wednesday.
Tim Bresnan, Ajmal Shahzad and Chris Tremlett have also had to fly home, leaving Jimmy Anderson, Steven Finn and Chris Woakes as the only fit seamers in the squad and prompting the call for Plunkett, who was playing for England Lions in the Caribbean.
“I went from St Kitts to Miami and then Miami to Heathrow. I was there for 10 hours, so I had a sleep there – and then went to Singapore and here.
“I’ve had plenty of time to rest and slept on the plane, thanks to some sleeping tablets,” said Plunkett, who last played for England in March 2010 during the tour of Bangladesh.
He has played 28 one-day internationals and if he makes the final XI at the Waca Ground would add some experience to an attack in which Finn and Woakes have only five appearances between them.
England depart for the World Cup – which is being held in Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka – on 12 February.
All of England’s injured bowlers – including Graeme Swann, Tim Bresnan, and Stuart Broad – are expected to be fit for their opening match against Netherlands on 22 February.
