Indian batsman Rahul Dravid will miss next month's one-day series against England to get treatment for a shoulder injury. Dravid had been nursing a minor shoulder tear which flared up in the early stages of India's test tour of South Africa in October and November. A consultation with a specialist in South Africa confirmed the tear and he was advised that he would need more extensive treatment at some time to correct the injury. But with the England series following immediately on India's return from South Africa, that was put on hold.

"I had wanted to fly to South Africa soon after the Bangalore Test, but was told that since it was Christmas the specialists would be on leave," Dravid said. "I will, however, be available for the two Test and five one-day games against Zimbabwe beginning in February."

Dravid is keen to avoid surgery which could sideline him for nearly seven months and instead will to travel to a Johannesburg clinic where team-mates Javagal Srinath, Anil Kumble and Sachin Tendulkar were successfully treated.

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