Fabio Capello suffered another injury blow on Wednesday as Peter Crouch was ruled out of the Euro 2012 qualifers against Bulgaria and Switzerland with a back injury.

Crouch had been unable to take part in training with Fabio Capello's squad this week after suffering what he thought was a rib injury in Tottenham's defeat against Wigan on Saturday.

The former Liverpool striker has now been told he has a back problem, which is serious enough to force his withdrawal ahead of England's opening qualifer against Bulgaria at Wembley on Friday and the trip to Switzerland on Tuesday.

Capello had already been robbed of a host of key players before naming his squad, with Chelsea duo John Terry and Frank Lampard, Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand and Fulham striker Bobby Zamora all sidelined.

However, the England coach was aware that Crouch could be a doubt and named five strikers in his squad - one more than usual - as a precaution, meaning he may not bring in an additional forward as he still has Wayne Rooney, Darren Bent, Jermain Defoe and Carlton Cole to choose from.