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Matt Prior has stepped away from the England team for the rest of the

Wicket-keeper Prior is expected to go under the knife to try and sort out his ongoing Achilles problems, although he is also suffering with a right quad and right hand injury too.

“I'm not doing justice to myself and more importantly the team and that is what matters first and foremost,” said an emotional Prior.

“I tore my quad before the first Test and my right hand has been beaten to a pulp, but the main issue is the Achilles.

“Now we have the time, I want to be pro-active about how we deal with it so I imagine that I'll have an operation.

“I've always said as long as I can do my job I will manage the pain and get on with it, but it has now got to the point where I can't do my job to the level I expect of myself.”

Ian Botham:

(Image: Gareth Copley)

Jos Buttler is likely to be called up into the third Test squad for the Ageas Bowl later today, but Prior is determined to regain his fitness and challenge for his place next year.

For now though he accepts that with 79 Test caps to his name he may have played his last game for England, and with a heavy heart is unable to play his role in the rebuilding of the team.

He added: “It is a huge decision and not one I've taken lightly obviously because I could have played my last game.

“Playing for England is the greatest honour you can have in the game and that is my motivation to come back and try and play again in the best possible condition.

“I've made my decision for the good of the team and whoever comes in I genuinely wish them the best of luck and hope they go well and perform and help the team win. That is all I want.

“If that happens and I don't play again, then that was my lot. I'll be disappointed because there are a few things that I wanted to achieve and thought I would, but I can also look back and know I did some pretty good things.”