HUDDERSFIELD’S Ryan Sidebottom has been ruled out of England’s final warm-up match ahead of the Test series against New Zealand.

The Nottinghamshire seamer suffered a hamstring strain in the final one-day international on Saturday.

He did not bowl during the two-day warm-up match against an Invitational XI in Dunedin which ended in a draw.

“Ryan has got a slight problem so there has to be some concern, and he’ll miss the three-day game as a precaution,” said England skipper Michael Vaughan.

“Hopefully over the next few days he’ll heal fast and he’ll be able to start bowling towards the end of the three-day game or when we arrive in Hamilton.”

Former King James’s pupil Sidebottom, from Fenay Bridge, has excelled since becoming an established member of England’s Test and one-day sides at the start of last summer.

He was expected to take the new ball with Matthew Hoggard against the Black Caps at Seddon Park on Tuesday, March 4.

But now Vaughan must prepare an alternative plan in case the 29-year-old former Yorkshire player, who has played in England`s last nine Tests, is ruled out.